As Gavin Newsom embarks on a national book tour widely viewed as a soft launch for a 2028 presidential campaign, the California governor is facing questions about a possible primary clash with another powerhouse from his home state: former Vice President Kamala Harris.
In an interview that aired Sunday, CNN’s Dana Bash pressed Newsom on what might happen “if and when those parallel careers intersect and collide.”
“Well, I’m San Francisco now, she’s LA,” Newsom quipped, pointing to the geographic and political distance between them. “So there’s a little distance between the two of us. You know, fate will determine that.”
Newsom stressed he has never tried to stand in Harris’ way. “I’ve never gotten in the way of her ambition, ever,” he said. “I haven’t. And I don’t imagine I would in the future.” When asked directly what would happen if they ran against each other for president, he again deferred. “That’s fate. You can only control what you can control.”
Both Democrats have deep roots in California politics. Harris previously served as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. senator before becoming vice president. Newsom, meanwhile, was mayor of San Francisco before serving as lieutenant governor and then governor.
Their careers have occasionally overlapped in awkward ways. In her recent book, 107 Days, Harris recounted calling Newsom after former President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid to seek his support. She wrote that Newsom texted back, “Hiking. Will call back,” and never did — though he later endorsed her and said the call had come from an unknown number.
Despite clear interest in 2028, Newsom suggested any decision would hinge on his family. Asked whether they support a White House bid, he admitted, “I don’t know. It depends on the day.” He also revealed that one of his sons has voiced concerns about the intense scrutiny a presidential campaign would bring — a reminder that even for seasoned politicians, the stakes are deeply personal.
