California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to enter the race, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper he sees no reason to challenge a fellow Californian who has already run twice.
Newsom made the remarks during a fly-fishing trip with Tapper in Montana, part of a new CNN series in which the anchor visits politicians in places they enjoy to talk about their careers. The series was announced Monday.
Tapper raised the prospect of a crowded Democratic primary field, noting Newsom would not even be the only potential candidate from California, pointing to Rep. Ro Khanna and Harris as possible contenders.
“I don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see,” Newsom said. After Tapper mentioned that Harris had “called around” to gauge support, Newsom said, “But I wouldn’t run if she ran.”
“Of course not. Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her,” Newsom said. “I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?”
Newsom argued that a primary contest between the two Californians would mainly help other candidates in the field, calling the scenario “mutually assured destruction.”
“Electorally, it’s a gift from God for everybody else,” he said. “It services no greater good.”
Tapper pushed back, noting that Harris has run for president twice while Newsom has never sought the office. Newsom acknowledged the point but said their bases of support overlap too much for both to run.
“That would be the case you’d make. Pretty good one, actually,” Newsom said. “I know her base of supporters. I know her friends. The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover.”
Newsom also said any decision about running would depend on backing from his family, describing a presidential bid as a “non-starter” without the support of his four children.
The comments come as Newsom trails Harris in early polling of potential 2028 Democratic primary voters. A Harvard-Harris survey in April found 50 percent of Democrats preferred Harris as the party’s next nominee, compared with 22 percent for Newsom.
Harris has said she “might” run again, telling the BBC last year, “I am not done.” Neither she nor Newsom has formally announced a candidacy.
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