Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

7 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

9 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

10 hours ago

Families Leave Gaza City After Night of Bombardment, Israelis Protest

12 hours ago

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

13 hours ago

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

14 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

1 day ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

1 day ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

2 days ago
If Harris Wins the Presidency, Does That End Newsom's White House Dreams?
gvw_calmatters
By CalMatters
Published 1 year ago on
August 21, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California speaks during the roll call on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, in Chicago, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Todd Heisler/The New York Times)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CHICAGO — Many voters have gotten to know more about Vice President Kamala Harris in the past few weeks.

Author Profile Picture

Sameea Kamal

CalMatters

But, having come up politically during the same time one county over, Gov. Gavin Newsom has seen her star rise for the last 20 years, he said this evening during the ceremonial roll call nominating Harris at the Democratic National Convention.

After touting California’s diversity and its status as “the great state of Nancy Pelosi,” Newsom traced Harris’ journey from a prosecutor in Alameda County to vice president.

“Kamala Harris has always done the right thing,” he said. “A champion for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights for women and girls. So Democrats — and independents — it’s time for us to do the right thing and elect Kamala Harris as president of the United States.”

The two minutes of airtime from the noisy convention floor was Newsom’s latest opportunity to build his national stature. But it wasn’t clear whether Newsom will get an opportunity to address delegates from the United Center stage — as have Sen. Laphonza Butler, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — before the convention ends Thursday night with Harris’s acceptance speech.

The governor was tapped to present the tally of all 482 California delegates who voted for Harris — like his predecessor, Jerry Brown, did in 2016. But this time, as her home state, California had the honor of going last.

His prominent role is a signal that Newsom, who was one of President Joe Biden’s most vocal supporters, has a place in the Harris campaign and possible administration.

While Newsom seemed to have gone relatively quiet after Biden stepped aside July 21, Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Newsom, told CalMatters earlier this month that Newsom was actively fundraising for Harris, and that they were finalizing plans for him to hit the campaign trail after the convention.

Immediately after the roll call, the governor did an interview with CNN in which he focused on the contrast between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Obstacles for Newsom Created by a Harris Victory

While the governor denies that he was ever pursuing the 2024 nomination, Harris’ ascendance presents a couple of obstacles, should he choose to eventually run for president.

Some expected he would run in 2028. But if Harris wins in November, she could serve two terms. That means the next opportunity for Newsom would be 2032 — which, since his term as governor ends in 2026, might be a long time to try and stay relevant.

Another possible hurdle would be selling the nation on the second president in a row from California — a state whose reputation can be a tough sell to some who lean more moderate or conservative.

Still, at least one consultant thinks focusing his attention on California would help Newsom.

“With Kamala as the nominee, he needs to turn his attention from being nationally focused to California,” said Brian Parvizshahi, a consultant who previously worked for Obama’s campaign. “He needs to make sure positions himself to have a strong legacy over these next two years. Especially as he needs to give voters a reason to elect two California Democrats as president.”

About the Author

Sameea Kamal covers politics for CalMatters, with a focus on democracy, representation and accountability.

About the CalMatters

CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

DON'T MISS

Judge Grants Fresno Temporary Win in Federal Grant DEI Dispute

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Foreign Aid Payments

DON'T MISS

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

DON'T MISS

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

DON'T MISS

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

DON'T MISS

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

DON'T MISS

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

DON'T MISS

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

UP NEXT

Judge Grants Fresno Temporary Win in Federal Grant DEI Dispute

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Foreign Aid Payments

UP NEXT

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

UP NEXT

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

UP NEXT

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

UP NEXT

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

UP NEXT

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

UP NEXT

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

UP NEXT

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

UP NEXT

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

5 hours ago

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

6 hours ago

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

6 hours ago

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

6 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

7 hours ago

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

7 hours ago

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

7 hours ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

8 hours ago

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

8 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

9 hours ago

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

A hiker missing since Aug. 16 was located and evacuated Tuesday, Aug. 19, during a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation near Cottonwood ...

4 hours ago

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, a hiker missing since August 16 was safely located and evacuated near Cottonwood Lakes during a multi-agency search and rescue operation. (Kern County SO)
4 hours ago

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

Fresno City Gavel Lawsuit
5 hours ago

Judge Grants Fresno Temporary Win in Federal Grant DEI Dispute

People walk across the plaza of the U.S. Supreme Court building on the first day of the court's new term in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2022. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Foreign Aid Payments

People walk at the site of Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital where Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who was a contractor for Reuters, was killed along with other journalists and people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in this still image taken from video, August 25, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

FUSD Fresno Unified employment agreement Ben Drati
6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

6 hours ago

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

6 hours ago

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

7 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend