California Governor Gavin Newsom disclosed to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to seek the Democratic nomination. This announcement came during a casual fly-fishing trip in Montana, where Newsom also stated his intention to wait until after the 2026 midterm elections before making any final decisions about a presidential bid. Meanwhile, Harris remains noncommittal, telling soccer star Megan Rapinoe on her podcast that she hasn't decided whether to run but emphasized her focus is currently on winning the midterms in 2026.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed the one Democrat who keeps him out of the 2028 presidential race.
asserted
who → sign → race
Newsom told CNN's Jake Tapper on Monday that he would not run for president if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to seek the Democratic nomination.
asserted
Harris → tell → nomination
But Newsom first made clear that he is focused on the 2026 midterm elections, telling Tapper that he plans to make his decision on a 2028 run after the midterms.
asserted
he → make → midterms
'I wouldn't run if she ran,' Newsom told Tapper during an informal interview while the pair were fly-fishing in Montana.
asserted
pair → run → Montana
The revelation comes as Newsom increasingly looks like a potential 2028 contender.
asserted
Newsom → come → contender
He has said he will make a decision after the 2026 midterms, but his latest comments make clear that Harris' decision will be an important factor.
asserted
be → say → midterms
Harris, meanwhile, has continued to leave the door open to another presidential campaign.
asserted
Harris → continue → campaign
In her latest comments, on September 10, Harris told former US women's national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe on her podcast What Are You Like? that she 'hasn't decided' whether she will run in 2028.
asserted
she → tell → 2028
Gavin Newsom announced on Monday he will not be running for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris joins the race
When asked about a potential presidential bid on September 10, Harris said her priority first was the 2026 midterms
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in August that he was 'more inclined than not' to run for president in 2028
Asked by Rapinoe about another presidential bid, Harris said, 'From my perspective, '28 doesn't matter if we don't win '26.'
asserted
we → announce → 26
She went on to emphasize her focus on the midterms, saying, 'Midterms, midterms, midterms' were occupying her 'thoughts, my mind and my work.'
That leaves the former vice president and Newsom in an unusual position.
asserted
That → go → position
Two of the most prominent potential Democratic contenders are effectively waiting to see how the midterm elections play out.
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elections → wait → contenders
Newsom has previously acknowledged that he is seriously considering a White House run.
asserted
he → acknowledge → run
In an interview with CBS News' Norah O'Donnell in October 2025, he said he would be 'lying' if he claimed he had not thought about running for president in 2028.
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he → say → 2028
Other Democrats are also beginning to give clearer indications of how seriously they are considering a 2028 campaign.
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they → begin → campaign
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in August that he was 'more inclined than not' to run for president in 2028, although he stressed that there was still a great deal he did not know about the political landscape ahead.
He also said becoming a parent had changed how he weighs a potential campaign.
asserted
he → say → campaign
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has similarly left the door open while repeatedly emphasizing that her immediate focus is the 2026 midterms.
asserted
focus → leave → door
In August, Ocasio-Cortez told ABC's Jonathan Karl that she hasn't 'ruled out the possibility' of a presidential run, while saying she was focused on winning the midterms.
asserted
she → tell → midterms
She has also left open the possibility of challenging Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for his New York Senate seat in 2028.
asserted
She → leave → 2028
Her political operation has also undergone changes as she weighs her options.
asserted
she → undergo → options
Axios reported in August that Ocasio-Cortez was reorganizing her political team ahead of a decision over whether to pursue the White House or a Senate bid.
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Cortez → report → House
Recent polling has also shown Harris and Newsom among the potential Democratic contenders being tested for 2028.
asserted
Harris → show → 2028
A May 2026 Lake Research Partners poll of 800 likely Democratic primary voters nationwide found Harris and Newsom leading a ranked-choice test of the potential 2028 field.
uncertain
Harris → find → field
The poll included 13 Democrats commonly identified as potential presidential candidates, including Buttigieg and Ocasio-Cortez.
asserted
poll → include → Buttigieg
The 2028 Democratic field remains unsettled, with potential candidates taking different approaches to whether and when they will declare their intentions.
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they → remain → intentions
For Newsom, however, his latest comments provide one clear condition.
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comments → provide → condition
If Harris runs, he won't.
asserted
he → run → ?
The Aporia
