Newsom Slinks Away from Biden and Harris Amid Political Collapse

California’s governor was once a steadfast supporter of President Biden, but his enthusiasm appears to have waned in recent weeks, particularly around Vice President Kamala Harris’s election campaign. Until the collapse of Biden’s reelection efforts, no one could outmatch Governor Gavin Newsom’s advocacy for Biden. He vociferously defended the president on TV and on the campaign trail against numerous demands to withdraw. But in the aftermath of Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s bid for the presidency, Newsom seems to have pulled back from this role in a rather noticeable fashion.

In the newly reshaped Harris campaign, the governor of California has been largely quiet, with only a smattering of social media posts and public statements in support of the new Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, his attention seems to have shifted towards more local matters like managing homeless encampments and launching a weekly podcast with ex-footballer Marshawn Lynch and sports agent Doug Hendrickson. This emerging dynamic between Harris and Newsom, two of California’s most distinguished political figureheads, is a complex one.

As both have risen through the ranks of San Franciscan and statewide elected office simultaneously, they’ve become professional competitors of sorts. Newsom, who is widely looked upon as a potentially strong presidential candidate, might see his aspirations thwarted or shrunk if Harris wins the presidential vote. Harris, on the other hand, is in a rush to reshape her public persona as her Republican peer, the former President Donald Trump, tries to paint her as a radical responsible for the decline of California, right alongside Newsom.

Their camp demurs any suggestions that Newsom and Harris are willingly putting distance between themselves, be it for personal or strategic reasons. But the degree of prominence given to Newsom in the forthcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the details of which remain undisclosed, might serve as a significant hint about his future role in the campaign. This holds particularly true amidst concerns that Trump could use the electoral race as a platform for criticizing California.

According to David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University, ‘The convention could provide meaningful insight. It would indeed provide some perspective into the thinking process of the Harris campaign regarding Newsom’s position and role.’ Newsom’s aides insist that their governor had always planned a summer hiatus from presidential politics to focus on Californian issues and that he will resume campaigning for Harris following the convention.

They also suggest that Newsom’s perceived absence shines more starkly because the Biden campaign had over-relied on him towards the latter stages, a time when very few Democrats were eager to defend the increasingly unpopular president. As Nathan Click, Newsom’s spokesperson declared, ‘Governor Newsom has not stepped back. Few have been as staunch in their opposition to Donald Trump and their support for Joe Biden and subsequently, Kamala Harris.’

Click added that they were ironing out the details with the Harris team for Newsom to once again enter the national campaign trail post the convention. In that time, he argued, the governor hasn’t ceased to promote VP Harris and her campaign, participating in fundraising efforts on her behalf. For instance, he was seen at a fundraising event in San Francisco over the weekend.

During a high-profile fundraising event in San Francisco, Harris singled out Newsom, referring to him as a ‘friend and colleague,’ lauding him as an ‘extraordinary leader for California and a national leader.’ However, Harris’ campaign representatives refused to discuss Newsom’s role in her campaign. Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for Harris, rebuffed the idea that Newsom was sidelined because of his links to California, writing in an email that he ‘would strongly dispute’ such a notion.

Newsom was actively engaged during late June and early July when Biden was struggling to save his reelection campaign from sinking due to a poor debate performance, which urged fellow Democrats to sideline him. The Californian governor made appearances on various television channels to alleviate concerns over Biden’s cognitive abilities, made a beeline for a White House meeting with Democratic governors, offered motivation to Biden campaign staff over a conference call, and embarked on a tour of swing states on behalf of the President during the Independence Day weekend.

However, when Biden unexpectedly called it quits on his campaign on July 21 and gave his backing to Harris, Newsom was initially noticeably restrained. His first response merely expressed appreciation for the president’s legacy. It was well over five hours before he publicly endorsed Harris, even while much of the rest of the Democratic Party rapidly rallied behind her.

Newsom’s somewhat dilatory endorsement led to speculation that he was contemplating his own journey towards the nomination, despite his earlier assurances that he wouldn’t compete against Harris. Among other top Democratic figures who were also slow in endorsing Harris were former President Barack Obama and ex-House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. Still, Newsom’s delayed support prompted many to question whether he was evaluating his own prospects for the nomination, despite previously stating he would not run against Harris.