Gavin Newsom says he will not run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris does

California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated in a forthcoming CNN interview that he will not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris does, according to a report. Both Newsom and Harris, who are from California, are considered major frontrunners for the Democratic presidential primary. Newsom, who is term-limited out as governor this year, has been positioning himself as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

However, Newsom believes that running against Harris would be a waste of voters' time and give their political opponents a "gift from God." He told CNN anchor Jake Tapper, "I wouldn't do that to her," adding, "I wouldn't waste everybody's time." Newsom had considered running in 2024 but said he was not ready and was still assessing his readiness for the upcoming presidential primary.

He emphasized the importance of representing the current moment and not wasting voters' time. The comments come as Newsom, who terms out as governor this year, has been trying to increase his national profile and cultivate political influence through social media and redistricting initiatives. In contrast, Harris has remained relatively quiet since her failed presidential bid against Trump in 2024, though she has stated that she has not yet decided about running.