California Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination after Biden dropped out of the race.
The surprise endorsement comes just hours after Joe Biden made the shock announcement that he would no longer seek re-election.
Biden endorsed Harris shortly after dropping out and questions have since arisen about who will be named the Democratic nominee.
“Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. With our democracy at stake and our future at stake, no one is better able to carry the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President,” Newsom posted on X on Sunday night, hours after Biden dropped out.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris both came to power after working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Newsom’s endorsement of Harris reinforces the two’s long, intertwined political careers and shows solidarity between them.
Newsom previously told DailyMail.com it was “ridiculous” to think President Joe Biden would be replaced as the Democratic nominee.
US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) stands with California Governor Gavin Newsom during a campaign event against his 2021 recall election
Newsom was previously thought to be considering a run for the White House if Biden stepped down.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris rose to political power via the San Francisco Bay Area.
Newsom’s endorsement of Harris furthers the two’s long, intertwined political careers and shows solidarity between them.
Fueling talk that Newsom could be a potential presidential candidate after Biden’s term ends, the California governor has spent time traveling the country as a Biden surrogate.
He also faced off in a debate against his rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, on Fox News, introducing him to conservatives across the country who may not have previously been entirely familiar with Newsom’s slicked-back look.
The governor has been a close ally of Biden even amid his debate debacle.
He also confirmed earlier this month that he would not challenge Harris for president in 2020, a commitment he made long ago, and recently said he “of course” would not run against her.
Newsom said Harris is tough, brave and tenacious in her advocacy.
On the night of the disastrous debate, Newsom denied to DailyMail.com that he would pick up the Democratic nomination if Biden dropped his bid.
He dismissed claims that he could replace Joe Biden on the presidential ticket, calling them “ridiculous.”
He said it was “really nerve-racking” to have to answer questions about whether he could replace the 81-year-old.
The California governor made the comments to DailyMail.com as he walked the red carpet in the CNN newsroom ahead of the presidential debate in Atlanta between Biden and Donald Trump.
Moments later, Biden stumbled through what even Democrats described as a “painful” 90 minutes, repeatedly losing his train of thought and drifting off the rails.
But Newsom, who many believe will run for president in the future, highlighted Biden’s accomplishments while criticizing Trump.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the idea that he would replace Joe Biden as the Democratic front-runner is “a farce” and that Biden is his candidate. But now that Biden is out, Harris is Newsom’s preferred candidate.
When pressed specifically by DailyMail.com on whether he would be willing to replace Biden if the president steps down before this year’s election, Newsom rebuffed.
“It’s a fallacy. I don’t even understand the context of that,” he replied.