PHILADELPHIA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is back on the presidential campaign trail.
The prominent Democrat and two-term governor was one of President Biden's top surrogates during his reelection campaign.
But Newsom, who attended but did not speak at last month's Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, has largely stayed away from the campaign trail since Vice President Kamala Harris of California replaced Biden at the top of the 2024 presidential candidate list 7 1/2 weeks ago.
Until now.
Newsom will be one of four Democratic governors who will appear in the debate spin room on the vice president's behalf, along with Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico.
Why the Harris vs. Trump debate is so important
California Governor Gavin Newsom poses for a selfie with supporters at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Ahead of his Philadelphia visit, Newsom visited New York on Sunday, where he was the head guest at a fundraiser for Harris and made media appearances on behalf of the vice president and Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
“What Kamala Harris has accomplished over the last eight weeks is unprecedented in the history of the United States. She has closed the gap. We're not just within the margin of error. She's expanded the map of the United States,” Governor Newsom emphasized in an interview on “CBS Mornings” early Tuesday morning.
Harris vs. Trump debate to be held in pivotal 2024 battleground
Newsom is a prominent surrogate for Biden and defended him after Biden's disastrous performance in a debate with former Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in late June.
Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned for President Biden on July 8, 2024, at a highway rest stop in Hooksett, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Biden's halting debate performance quickly stoked questions about his physical and mental ability to serve another four years in the White House, and prompted calls from within his own party for the 81-year-old president not to seek a second term. Amid growing pressure from his fellow Democrats, Biden ended his reelection campaign in a highly publicized announcement on July 21, announcing his endorsement of the vice president.
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump Debate: Live Updates
Asked whether he would be as enthusiastic about backing Harris on the campaign trail as he was Biden, Newsom pointed to his longtime friendship and working relationship with the vice president.
“We've known each other for 10 years before I got into politics. He's one of my oldest friends, so it's a no-brainer,” Newsom told Fox News Digital on the first night of the Democratic National Convention at Chicago's United Center arena. “I'm needed, but of course I'm committed.”
But Newsom, who has long been seen as having national ambitions, added at the time that he might not be asked by the Harris campaign to campaign on the vice president's behalf.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“We'll see what happens. Everybody's out there, everybody's doing everything,” the governor said.
Three weeks later, Newsom is back on the campaign trail.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
