Could two of California’s biggest political names be headed for a showdown that shakes the Golden State’s Democratic Party machine?
The brewing tension between Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris hints at a potential battle for the White House in 2028, testing loyalties among shared allies and donors, as The Hill reports.
Early in the days of their careers, when Newsom served as mayor of San Francisco, while Harris held the role of city district attorney. Their paths ran parallel, never crossing in direct competition, a pattern that continued as they climbed the political ladder.
Later, when Newsom became California’s lieutenant governor, Harris was the state’s attorney general, maintaining their unspoken agreement to avoid head-on clashes. It’s almost as if they’ve been dancing around each other for decades.
By 2018, Newsom had secured the governor’s mansion, while Harris was a U.S. senator, a position that eventually propelled her to the vice presidency in 2021. Their trajectories seemed complementary -- until now.
Fast forward to today, and whispers of presidential aspirations for 2028 are growing louder for both. Newsom has made it clear he won’t announce any candidacy until after his governorship ends in January 2027, while Harris plays coy about her plans.
Speaking to the New York Times, Harris dodged the question of another run, saying the race is “three years from now.” That’s a classic non-answer, but her actions -- setting up a political action committee called “Fight for the People” and reaching out to newly elected officials -- suggest she’s keeping her options wide open.
Harris has also shelled out roughly $7 million to the Democratic National Committee for her email list, a move many see as a signal of intent. If that’s not laying groundwork, what is?
Meanwhile, Newsom’s camp seems skeptical of Harris’s viability, with some allies pointing to her memoir 107 Days as evidence she might sit this one out. The book, which critiques several prominent Democrats, has ruffled feathers -- hardly the unity message you’d expect from a future candidate.
One longtime Newsom ally didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s not the kind of book you would write if you were intent on running again.” That’s a polite way of saying Harris might have burned bridges she’ll need in 2028.
If both throw their hats in the ring, the overlap in their support networks could get messy. Advisers, consultants, and fundraisers who’ve backed both over the years will face a tough choice, as donors admit feeling torn between the two.
A UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll from August revealed California voters are more enthusiastic about Newsom’s potential run, with 45% showing support compared to 36% for Harris. That gap isn’t huge, but it’s enough to make Harris’s team sweat a bit.
Public spats have been rare, but Harris’s book recounts a moment of frustration when Newsom missed her call after a major political shift, texting back, “Hiking. Will call back.” It took him three hours to voice support, a delay that clearly stung.
Newsom, for his part, seemed caught off guard by the book’s account, admitting he hadn’t read it. These small but telling moments hint at underlying friction beneath the polished smiles and carefully crafted statements.
In the end, whether Newsom and Harris collide or coexist in 2028, California’s political landscape will be the battleground to watch.
