Harris and Newsom’s Relationship Still Tense Amid 2028 Presidential Aspirations
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom haven’t quite resolved their rocky relationship, especially after President Biden shared in a recent book that he disregarded her calls when he ended his campaign for a second term.
The two, who both began their political careers over twenty years ago—Newsom as the mayor of San Francisco and Harris as the city’s district attorney—are now potential competitors for the Democratic nomination in 2028.
A fresh profile of Harris highlights the awkwardness and strain characterizing their interactions lately. According to Biden’s memoir, “107 Days,” Harris recounted that she attempted to reach out to Newsom for support as he sought backing from significant figures in the party after Biden’s exit from the race on July 21, 2024. Newsom had texted her, saying he was hiking and would call back, a promise he seemingly never fulfilled, as Harris mentions in the book.
In response, Newsom’s team provided various reasons for his absence, suggesting he was on a treadmill before heading out for a hike.
Newsom later defended himself, noting that he publicly endorsed Harris shortly after Biden’s resignation. In an interview, he shared that he questioned Harris about her decision to include the missed call story in her book, to which she replied that she was occupied with her book tour.
He humorously remarked on the situation, brushing it off lightly.
Notably, Newsom refrained from speaking at last year’s Democratic National Convention, despite being a supporter of Biden, where Harris received the party’s nomination.
Current polls indicate Newsom holds a significant lead of 5.8 percentage points in the race for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, according to the latest data.
When discussing the potential for a Newsom run in 2028, Harris acknowledged his talent, but hinted at the need for decisive action: “If you want to do that first, you have to make a decision.” She added, “I think Gavin is very talented. I really think so. And I think we have a lot of talented people.”
Harris has chosen not to pursue Newsom’s position as governor next year and has been somewhat reserved about her own plans for 2028. However, she conveyed to the Times that she feels she has little left to prove.
Reflecting on her historical significance, she stated, “I understand the focus is on 28 years and everything else. But there will be a marble bust of me on display in Congress. I am as historic a figure as any vice president of the United States has ever been.”
A marble bust honoring the Vice President is located within the Senate Building of the United States Capitol, recognizing her role as President of the Senate.
