Op-Ed: Newsom's Pledge on Harris May Have Ulterior Motive

California Gov Gavin Newsom just declared that he won't run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris does. But what on the surface seems like a respectful political gesture may have an ulterior motive, writes Astead Herndon at Vox. "Here's what I think is happening this week: Newsom is putting pressure on Harris to make a decision early. And in doing so, he gives donors an incentive to make clear what they're saying privately: They don't want Kamala Harris to run."

Herndon notes that LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman this week said Harris would face a "very challenging path" to the nomination. Hoffman is clearly leery about another Harris candidacy, and "that's likely representative of the larger left-of-center apparatus," writes Herndon. In that context, Newsom's declaration might be seen as part of the early stages of what Herndon calls a "light public pressure campaign" to get Harris to steer clear. Read the full column.