California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to headline a Democratic campaign event in New Hampshire just days after the presidential debate between Biden and Trump, raising speculation he could be preparing to take Biden’s place if he drops out of the 2024 presidential race.
The event, called the “Blue Summer Campaign Kickoff,” taking place on July 8, is being led by Democrats in the New Hampshire House and Senate.
New Hampshire is a key battleground state in the general election, and Newsom, a key surrogate for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, also plans to campaign for the president and other Democratic candidates during his time in the state, a source familiar with his plans said.
“We look forward to welcoming Governor Newsom to New Hampshire where he will once again campaign on behalf of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump,” Ray Buckley, the longtime chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said in a statement.
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Newsom and Biden (Getty Images)
“As Trump becomes increasingly frantic in his campaign to gain power, it is more important than ever to mobilize Democrats across New Hampshire to re-elect President Joe Biden, who has consistently fought for and delivered for New Hampshire,” Buckley said.
Speaking to reporters in the spin room after Thursday night’s presidential debate, Newsom made it clear he remained steadfast in his support of Biden, who has faced harsh criticism even from within his own party for his lackluster performance.
“I will never turn my back on President Biden,” Newsom said Thursday in comments that seemed intended to dispel rumors that he was running a shadow campaign. “There is no Democrat in my party that would do that. Especially after tonight, we support him.”
Newsom added, “I’ve spent a lot of time with him. I know Joe Biden. I know what he’s accomplished over the last three and a half years. I know what he’s capable of doing. And I have no qualms.”
Fetterman criticizes Newsom for not having the courage to admit he’s running a shadow campaign against Biden
Left: President Biden. Right: California Governor Gavin Newsom. (Getty Images)
Prior to the discussion, Rumors continued to swirl in the run-up to the November election that Newsom, a possible future presidential candidate for the party, had been selected as a surrogate for Biden.
When asked if he was “ready to take on Donald Trump” – a question alluding to rumors that he might be Biden’s replacement – Newsom again denied any ulterior motives.
Last year, Biden told world leaders: Newsom “If I wanted, I could get the job I want,” he joked, alluding to Biden’s declining approval ratings and growing discontent within his party.
“I want to talk about Governor Newsom. I want to thank him. He’s been a really great governor.” Biden: “The reality is, he can be anything. He can get the job I want,” he said at a reception for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in San Francisco.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) also accused Newsom of running a shadow presidential campaign around the same time last year he participated in a debate with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis moderated by Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
A raspy-voiced Biden stumbles off the ground as he takes on Trump in the first 2024 presidential debate
Democrats and liberal media pundits are dismissing polls showing Donald Trump’s popularity growing among black voters. (Getty Images)
““I’m going to say something that might be a little uncomfortable,” Fetterman said at a Democratic dinner in Iowa. “Right now, there are two other Democrats running from Pennsylvania, no, for president. One is a congressman from Minnesota. The other is governor of California. They’re both running for president, but only one has had the guts to announce it.”
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Biden has not indicated he plans to drop out of the race.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser, Stephanie Price, Aubrey Spady and Cameron Cawthorn contributed to this report.
