California Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN's Jake Tapper he would not run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination if former Vice President Kamala Harris becomes a candidate, arguing that two high-profile California Democrats would split the same base. He made the remark during a fly-fishing interview in Montana and cited family considerations — notably his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four children — as key to any decision. Recent Bowling Green State University/YouGov polling shows Harris at 17% and Newsom at 14% among likely Democratic voters.
Gavin Newsom: I Won't Run in 2028 If Kamala Harris Runs
California Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed that he won't run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris does (Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race. The comment came during a candid interview with CNN's Jake Tapper while the two were fly fishing in Montana, part of a series that places reporters and politicians in relaxed, informal settings.
'I wouldn't run if she ran,' Newsom said on the Montana outing. 'Why would I? I wouldn't do that to her. I wouldn't do that to you. I wouldn't waste everyone's time.'
Newsom explained his reasoning in electoral terms: two high-profile California Democrats competing in the same primary could force their shared base to split, creating an opening for other candidates. 'Electorally, it's a gift from God for everybody else. They'd enjoy the hell out of it — mutual assured destruction. It services no greater good,' he said.
The governor has raised his national profile in recent years and is widely viewed as a potential contender for 2028, but he emphasized that family considerations are central to any decision. Newsom noted he has 'five other people to consider' — his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four children — and said his family must be on board with a campaign.
Newsom previously endorsed Harris after former President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, posting on X that 'no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than [Harris].'
'Electorally, it's a gift from God for everybody else. They'd enjoy the hell out of it — mutual assured destruction,' Newsom said of him and his fellow California Democrat running against each other (Getty Images)
Polling Snapshot
Recent polling from Bowling Green State University and YouGov of likely voters shows Harris with 17% support for the Democratic nomination and Newsom with 14%. In the same poll, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg received 16% and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez registered 14%.
On the Republican side in that survey, Vice President JD Vance led GOP preferences with 44% support and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had 21%.
Newsom told Tapper that he is still weighing a possible campaign and that his children's views can vary — 'it depends on the day of the week' — recounting a conversation in which his teenage son said he should remain home to spend more time with the family.
As speculation about the 2028 field grows, Newsom's public pledge to step aside if Harris runs signals a desire to avoid intra-state rivalry and preserve Democratic unity heading into a consequential election cycle.
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