Should voters even believe Newsom?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has revealed one circumstance that would keep him out of the 2028 presidential race — and it involves former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Newsom, who has repeatedly faced questions about his national political ambitions, said he would not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Harris decides to launch another White House campaign.
The California governor made the comment during an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper while the two were fly-fishing in Montana.
Although neither Newsom nor Harris has formally entered the 2028 race, the exchange offered a revealing glimpse into how Newsom is thinking about his political future.
Newsom Says He Wouldn’t Run Against Harris
During the conversation, Tapper directly asked Newsom whether he would run for president if Harris were also seeking the Democratic nomination.
Newsom’s answer was clear.
“Of course not. Why would I?” Newsom said.
He argued that competing against Harris would create an unnecessary political battle between two prominent California Democrats with overlapping networks of supporters.
Newsom added that he saw no reason to put everyone through such a contest, questioning what purpose it would serve.
Tapper noted that Newsom could still challenge Harris if he wanted to.
But Newsom suggested such a primary contest could become damaging for both candidates, describing the hypothetical matchup as “mutually assured destruction.”
Newsom said he is familiar with Harris’ core supporters as well as the people in her political circle.
The governor appeared to argue that there would be substantial overlap between the people supporting Harris and those who might otherwise support him.
Newsom’s Verbal Slip Draws Attention
While making that point, Newsom also delivered a phrase that quickly attracted attention online.
Newsom appeared to say “Zen diagram” when referring to what is commonly called a Venn diagram — overlapping circles used to illustrate relationships between different groups.
The verbal mix-up quickly became one of the more widely mocked moments from the interview.
Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross highlighted the mistake, writing that the “best part” of the exchange was Newsom saying “Zen diagram.”
But the governor’s comments about Harris carried far greater political significance.
Newsom has effectively established an important condition for any potential 2028 campaign: Harris would have to stay out.
Why Kamala Harris Matters to Newsom’s 2028 Decision
Newsom and Harris have traveled parallel paths through California Democratic politics for years.
Harris previously served as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president.
Newsom served as mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor before becoming California’s governor.
Their lengthy histories in the same state’s political circles mean the two have relationships with many of the same Democratic activists, donors and voters.
Newsom indicated that those connections are precisely why he believes a head-to-head presidential primary would make little sense.
Rather than competing against Harris, Newsom says he would stay out if she decides to run.
Harris Has Not Announced a 2028 Campaign
Harris has not formally announced whether she will seek the presidency again in 2028.
She became the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign, but ultimately lost the general election to Donald Trump.
Since then, questions have continued about whether Harris could make another attempt at winning the White House.
Her eventual decision could now have consequences beyond her own political future.
Based on Newsom’s latest remarks, a Harris campaign would also remove at least one other prominent Democrat from consideration.
If Harris doesn’t run, however, Newsom has not ruled out launching a campaign of his own.
The Fly-Fishing Setting Becomes Part of the Story
The substance of Newsom’s comments was quickly accompanied by discussion about the unusual setting for the interview.
Instead of sitting across from Tapper in a television studio, Newsom stood in shallow water in Montana while the two cast fly-fishing rods and discussed politics.
Clips from the interview prompted criticism and jokes from some social media users, who characterized the outdoor appearance as overly produced.
One user questioned why Newsom appeared to be fly-fishing in business-casual clothing.
Another sarcastically joked about the coincidence of a camera crew being positioned in the river while Newsom and Tapper fished.
Others compared the scene to a carefully arranged political photo opportunity.
The criticism reflected the challenge politicians often face when participating in informal media appearances designed to show a different side of their personalities: the effort can itself become part of the political conversation.
Newsom’s Past Controversies Resurface
The fishing footage also prompted at least one reference to a controversy that has followed Newsom for years.
One commentator compared the appearance to the “French Laundry of fishing,” referring to Newsom’s widely criticized 2020 dinner at the upscale French Laundry restaurant.
Newsom attended the gathering while California was operating under COVID-19 restrictions, an episode for which he later apologized.
The controversy became a recurring criticism of Newsom’s pandemic-era leadership and continues to surface as his national profile grows.
Newsom Continues to Face Presidential Questions
Newsom’s latest comments do not amount to an announcement about 2028.
Instead, they establish one clear condition.
If Kamala Harris runs for president, Newsom says he won’t challenge her.
If Harris stays out, the California governor has left his options open.
That distinction could become increasingly important as Democrats begin considering the party’s future presidential field.
The 2028 election remains years away, and potential candidates have plenty of time before making formal decisions.
But Newsom has now provided a notable piece of information about his own calculations.
One of the biggest factors determining whether Gavin Newsom runs for president in 2028 may have nothing to do with Newsom himself.
It may come down to what Kamala Harris decides to do.
