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.
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.
-
5 fairly vain cartoons about Vanity Fair’s interviews with Susie WilesCartoon Artists take on demolition derby, alcoholic personality, and more
-
Joanna Trollope: novelist who had a No. 1 bestseller with The Rector’s WifeIn the Spotlight Trollope found fame with intelligent novels about the dramas and dilemmas of modern women
-
Codeword: December 20, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
Trump HHS moves to end care for trans youthSpeed Read The administration is making sweeping proposals that would eliminate gender-affirming care for Americans under age 18
-
Jack Smith tells House of ‘proof’ of Trump’s crimesSpeed Read President Donald Trump ‘engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,’ hoarded classified documents and ‘repeatedly tried to obstruct justice’
-
House GOP revolt forces vote on ACA subsidiesSpeed Read The new health care bill would lower some costs but not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies
-
Hegseth rejects release of full boat strike footageSpeed Read There are calls to release video of the military killing two survivors of a Sept. 2 missile strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat
-
Trump vows naval blockade of most Venezuelan oilSpeed Read The announcement further escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro
-
Kushner drops Trump hotel project in SerbiaSpeed Read Affinity Partners pulled out of a deal to finance a Trump-branded development in Belgrade
-
Senate votes down ACA subsidies, GOP alternativeSpeed Read The Senate rejected the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, guaranteeing a steep rise in health care costs for millions of Americans
-
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s orderSpeed Read The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center
