Gavin Newsom has said that one person stands between him and a White House run. That person is Kamala Harris, who happens to be a fellow Democrat.
Newsom was asked in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper about his expected White House run, and he didn’t hold back on how the former vice president, his former colleague and rumored frenemy, could change his decision.
“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom said while fly-fishing with Tapper in Montana.
He explained that the decision would protect Harris. “I wouldn’t do that to her … I wouldn’t waste anyone’s time,” Newsom said, calling it “mutually assured destruction.”
Newsom’s Children Have Veto Power
Previously, Newsom has stated that he will only seek the presidency if all four of his children give their approval, with the youngest among them aged 10 and the oldest at 17.
When speaking with PBS, the governor said he has two children who support the idea and two others who oppose it at the moment.
Even if Newsom wants to run, his children could still prevent him from doing so.
The Legal Pressure Around Him
A federal investigation is looking into the financial dealings of both Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, focusing on Siebel Newsom’s taxes are one target of multiple investigations touching on Newsom’s circle of associates.
Last week, the San Francisco Standard reported that investigators have also demanded records tied to the governor’s travel, with much of it being funded through the nonprofit California Protocol Foundation.
Newsom has dismissed the investigations as a political hit job.
What Happens Next
This is a developing story and will be updated.
For now, Newsom’s position is clear: he won’t run if Harris does. And his children hold the final vote.
The Decision That Changed Everything
“I wouldn’t run if she ran.”
The remark originates with someone who has devoted years to presenting himself as a serious candidate for national office.
What The Investigation Covers
| Item | Target |
|---|---|
| Siebel Newsom’s taxes | One target of multiple investigations |
| Records related to the governor’s travel | Also subpoenaed |
The Hit Job Defense
Newsom has dismissed the investigations as a political hit job.
The Timing Of It All
For years, Newsom has been getting ready to run for president. The legal probes have made that effort harder. Now he has put one more demand on the table: Kamala Harris cannot be his rival.
What We Make Of It
Newsom’s decision is a clear statement of intent. By saying he won’t run if Harris does, he removes one variable from the equation.
He has placed a demand upon himself, one that his children must meet before he acts — their agreement, given freely, stands between him and any course of action he might otherwise take.
A potential contest between two Democrats is framed as a disaster for all parties involved, according to the “mutually assured destruction” line.
It remains to be seen whether that holds up. The inquiries keep going, the young people involved still disagree with one another, and Newsom has stated where he stands.
The contest is still undecided at this point, with one person holding the key to closing it: Kamala Harris.
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