Newsom says he won't run for president if Harris does

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Set us as preferred WASHINGTON — Gov.Gavin Newsom said he would not run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Kamala Harris does so, appearing to offer deference to the former vice president ahead of a race that could draw a historically crowded field of candidates.“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview posted Monday.

“Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her....

I wouldn’t do it to you, I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time.”Newsom appeared to acknowledge a desire to avoid the possibly messy fight for California backers that could ensue if both were to run, saying there would be “pure crossover” between Harris’ supporters and his.The governor’s effective yield to Harris diminishes the possibility of a showdown between two of California’s most powerful political figures in an election whose stakes are viewed by the Democratic Party as existential.The possibility of Harris making a second attempt at the presidency after her loss to President Trump in 2024 has hung as the biggest question over the potential Democratic field.

Politics Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, offered the clearest signal yet that she could seek to lead Democrats back to the White House in 2028.Both Newsom and Harris have acknowledged they are considering presidential bids in 2028, but Harris has closely held her intentions.She said last week that she had not decided whether to run, telling former soccer player Megan Rapinoe in a podcast interview that she was focused on working full time to help Democrats win the midterms.A spokesperson for Harris declined to comment.

Representatives for Newsom did not immediately respond to a request Monday afternoon.Harris has appeared as the party front-runner in multiple polls about 2028, including one in July that showed...