Newsom says he won't challenge Biden for Democratic nomination in 2024


Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, will not challenge President Biden for the White House in 2024, Politico reported.
Newsom, a rising star within the Democratic Party, has won three elections in the past five years in the Golden State, including surviving a notable recall effort. While he is seen by some as a potential replacement for the 80-year-old Biden, Newsom reportedly told Politico on the night of the midterm elections that he would not seek to cause any rifts within the party.
"I've told everyone in the White House, from the chief of staff to the first lady," Newsom said. "I'm all in, count me in," he added in regard to Biden's re-election efforts. This is a message that has made its way to the president himself, as Newsom personally told Biden, "Put me in coach ... we have your back," Politico reported.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While there is precedence for presidents being challenged in the primaries by members of their own party, it appears that Newsom has decided against this. While he has been critical of the Democrats' messaging during the Biden administration, Newsom said that the president "Not only beat Trump once, I think he can beat him again.
"I hope he runs, I'll enthusiastically support him," Newsom told Politico.
While Biden has not officially announced his re-election bid yet, he has said that he intends to run for the job again. If his campaign is eventually confirmed, then it appears Biden already has one ardent supporter behind him.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
August 2 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include a tariff self-own, rough times at the Trump golf course, and more
-
5 inexcusably hilarious cartoons about Ghislaine Maxwell angling for a pardon
Cartoons Artists take on the circle of life, Ghislaine's Island, and more
-
Ozzy Osbourne obituary: heavy metal wildman and lovable reality TV dad
In the Spotlight For Osbourne, metal was 'not the music of hell but rather the music of Earth, not a fantasy but a survival guide'
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein