Gavin Newsom says he will not run for president if Kamala Harris enters the race

Newsom and Harris, both from California, are widely viewed as two of the top establishment frontrunners in the coming Democratic presidential primary. Newsom, who terms out this year as governor, has increasingly portrayed himself as a foil to Trump and is widely viewed as positioning himself for a 2028 presidential bid, The Guardian reported.

But Newsom said running against Harris would waste voters’ time and act as a “gift from God” to their political opponents.

“I wouldn’t do that to her,” the governor said. “I won’t waste everyone’s time.”

Newsom said he considered running in 2024, but that he “wasn’t ready” and that he was still assessing whether he will be ready for the coming presidential primary.

Newsom previously criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of “bending the knee” to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin ahead of their August 2025 summit in Alaska.

“Wake up, America. Wake up to what Donald Trump is doing,” Newsom said. “Wake up to the assault on institutions and knowledge and history. This is a guy who lays claim to want to get a Nobel Prize, sitting there and bending his knee to Mr. Putin. You (the American people - ed.) have the power to straighten this out.”

Donald Trump stated on February 5, 2026, that he considers Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be the top Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential election.

Donald Trump stated on May 4, 2025, that as many as 20 Republicans could emerge as potential leaders for the 2028 presidential race.

Kamala Harris stated in October 2025 that she might run for president again in 2028, telling reporters that her grandchildren would see a woman in the White House “in their lifetime, for sure.”