California Governor Gavin Newsom has signaled he would step aside in the 2028 presidential race if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run, a move that could reshape the Democratic primary landscape. In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper while fly fishing in Montana, Newsom said a head-to-head matchup with Harris would be disastrous for the party.
"First of all, electorally, it's a gift from God for everybody else. They'd enjoy the hell out of it," Newsom said. "Mutual assured destruction. It services no greater good."
Newsom's comments mark the first time he has publicly addressed the possibility of forgoing a White House bid if Harris, who also hails from California and shares a similar political orbit, were to enter the race. Both are widely considered top contenders for the 2028 Democratic nomination, along with other potential hopefuls.
When Tapper noted that Harris had won statewide twice and lost a presidential race while Newsom had never run nationally, the governor argued that their support bases overlap so heavily that a primary contest would split the party's progressive and establishment wings.
"I know her base of supporters. I know her friends," Newsom said. "The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover."
"I wouldn't do that to people," he added.
Newsom has been traveling to early primary states like South Carolina and Michigan, fueling speculation about a potential run. Harris, meanwhile, has been on a book tour and has weighed in on midterm races, keeping her name in the mix. The prospect of two Californians—possibly three, if Representative Ro Khanna enters—could complicate Democratic efforts to appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, given the state's reliably blue reputation.
Political analysts note that having multiple candidates from the same state could dilute resources and messaging, making it harder to build a broad coalition. Newsom's statement may be an attempt to clear the field for Harris, or a strategic calculation to avoid a costly intraparty battle.
Many potential candidates are expected to announce decisions after the November midterms, and Newsom's remarks could influence those calculations. The governor's stance also aligns with his recent criticism of President Trump, including his condemnation of Trump's 9/11 rescue story, as he positions himself as a leading Democratic voice.
Harris's own role in the 2026 elections has already split Democrats in tight races, and some party figures have suggested she should sit out 2028, as noted by Iowa Democratic nominee Sand. But Newsom's willingness to defer to Harris could consolidate support behind her—or open the door for other contenders.
For now, Newsom's message is clear: he won't be the one to divide the party. Whether that holds remains to be seen as the 2028 cycle heats up.
