California Governor Newsom is considering running for US president
With more than three years to go until the next US presidential election, some potential Democratic candidates are already positioning themselves. California Governor Newsom and former Vice President Harris don't say they intend to run yet—but they are not ruling it out either.
San Jose, California (dpa/AP) - California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of the most vocal Democrats when it comes to criticizing US President Donald Trump, has confirmed that he is considering a presidential run.
Asked whether he would give running for president in 2028 "serious thought," 58-year-old Newsom told broadcaster CBS, "I'd be lying otherwise. I'd just be lying, and I can't do that." In the comments, made on Thursday and broadcast on Sunday, Newsom also called Trump "an invasive species" for the United States and the world, adding "he is a wrecking ball."
Newsom fights Trump for months
Newsom has been antagonizing Trump for months, both by countering the Republican president's actions with lawsuits and bills and by parodying his social media style.The Democrat has sued to regain control of the California National Guard from Trump, passed a legislation package to "respond to federal overreach" and is leading a redistricting drive in California to counteract similar Republican efforts elsewhere in the country.
Newsoms team has also been mimicking Trump's use of AI-generated images, capitalization style and the "THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER" sign-off that has been omnipresent in Trump's social media posts.
"I am not done", Kamala Harris says
At the same time, former US Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris also isn’t ruling out another run for the White House. In an interview with the BBC, Harris said she expects a woman will be president in the coming years, and it could “possibly” be her.“ "I am not done,” Harris said.
The former vice president said she hasn’t decided whether to mount a 2028 presidential campaign. But she dismissed the suggestion that she’d face long odds. “I have lived my entire career a life of service and it’s in my bones. And there are many ways to serve,” she said. “I’ve never listened to polls.”
Harris has recently given a series of interviews following the September release of her book, “107 Days.” It looks back on her experience replacing then-President Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee after he dropped out of the race. Harris ultimately lost to Republican President Donald Trump.
In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Harris, 61, also made clear that running again in 2028 is still on the table. She said she sees herself as a leader of the party, including in pushing back against Trump and preparing for the 2026 midterms. Asked in an October 17 interview with AP whether she had plans for a 2028 bid, Harris said, “I haven’t decided. Sincerely. I have not decided. I may or I may not. I have not decided.” Asked specifically whether she still wanted to do the job itself, she used the past tense, saying, “It’s a job I wanted to do.” But she noted that the only way to do it “is to run” and win.
30 high-profile Democrats could enter the primary
Meanwhile, political jockeying among Democrats for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out even earlier than usual. Several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in key states. Beside Newsom and Harris, this includes term-limited Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and California Representative Ro Khanna. Upward of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the primary.
The next presidential election in the US is scheduled for 2028. Donald Trump, 79, has not completely ruled out his own candidacy, as he and his circle frequently hint at the possibility of a third term. However under the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, no one may be elected president more than twice.