Gavin Newsom, California Governor, Backs Kamala Harris for President Following Joe Biden Withdrawal
Gavin Newsom, California Governor Backs Kamala Harris for President Following Joe Biden Withdrawal California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed gratitude towards President Joe Biden, who announced on Sunday his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. In a post on social media, Newsom endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democrats in their campaign against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
“With our democracy on the line, there is no one better suited to challenge Donald Trump’s divisive vision and guide our nation towards a brighter future than Vice President Kamala Harris,” Newsom stated. He described Harris as tough, fearless, and tenacious.
Newsom’s endorsement of Harris came shortly after he acknowledged Biden’s withdrawal from the race earlier that day. In a separate statement posted Sunday morning, Newsom praised Biden as an extraordinary and history-making president who has championed working people and delivered significant achievements for all Americans. He predicted that Biden will be remembered as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents in history.
Newsom had previously committed to supporting Harris if she decided to run for president or became the Democratic nominee. He reaffirmed this commitment earlier in the month, stating unequivocally that he would endorse her candidacy.
Facing mounting pressure within his party to step aside, Biden formally announced his decision to withdraw just before 11 a.m. on Sunday and promptly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. In the days and weeks following his lackluster debate performance against Republican nominee Trump, several dozen Democratic elected officials publicly called for Biden to end his candidacy, citing concerns about his ability to effectively lead.
In his statement on Sunday, Biden expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president and acknowledged his initial intention to seek reelection. However, he emphasized that stepping down was in the best interest of the Democratic Party and the country, allowing him to focus solely on his presidential duties for the remainder of his term. Biden indicated that he would provide more details about his decision in a national address later in the week.
During Biden’s recent struggles, Newsom emerged as a leading potential replacement within the Democratic Party. However, by endorsing Harris, Newsom signaled that he would not challenge her candidacy ahead of the Democratic National Convention scheduled for late August. Newsom has consistently stated that he is not seeking the presidency, preferring instead to unite Democrats behind defeating Trump. Following Biden’s debate performance, which raised questions about his mental acuity, Newsom underscored his support for Biden in a fundraising email, criticizing any notion of turning away due to a single performance.
“We cannot abandon our commitments based on one instance. What kind of party would that make us?” Newsom wrote in the email.
