California Governor Gavin Newsom insisted Vice President Kamala Harris would succeed President Joe Biden as the Democratic frontrunner in the 2024 presidential election should the President end, or be unable to continue, his re-election bid.
The California governor also denied speculation he may enter the 2024 presidential race.
Newsom made his comments during a Sunday episode of NBC's Meet The Press with host Chuck Todd.
During the interview, Todd noted filing deadlines had not passed to enter the upcoming primary election and asked why voters shouldn't consider Newsom a likely candidate.
"I think the vice president is naturally the one lined up,” Newsom said of Harris. “The filing deadlines are quickly coming to pass. And I think we need to move past this notion that he’s not going to run."
"President Biden is going to run, and looking forward to getting him re-elected," he continued. "I think there’s been so much wallowing in the last few months and handwringing in this respect. But we’re gearing up for the campaign. We’re looking forward to it.”
The California governor said it was "time to move on" for donors worried about President Biden not running for re-election.
"It's the Biden-Harris administration," Newsom said, adding he was "a little old-fashioned" in regard to viewing Harris as Biden's natural successor. The California governor also cited his previous position as lieutenant governor before assuming governorship of the Golden State.
Newsom said Harris and himself had an "extraordinarily close working relationship," detailing their experience in San Francisco city government.
"By definition, it won't happen," he said, insisting he wouldn't run against Harris if she is the Democratic frontrunner.
"We privately continue to maintain a very good relationship, interpersonal,” Newsom said. “Just, ‘How are you doing? Checking in.’"
"It’s been a challenging few years with COVID. And we’ve had the opportunity to sit down, have lunch together in the White House, spend time talking about important things."
The California governor revealed, however, that one of the Vice President's staffers was upset with Newsom's decision to debate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis based off some "off the record quotes."
Newsom concluded by saying neither Harris nor anyone from the White House have expressed dissatisfaction with his decision to debate DeSantis.
DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, was initially challenged to debate by Newsom following the Florida governor’s move to send illegal migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in September 2022. DeSantis did not respond to Newsom’s challenge at the time.
After several offers by Newsom since last September, DeSantis agreed to debate the California governor in early-August.
“Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where we’ll do it,” DeSantis said during an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.
“In one respect, the debate between California and Florida has already been had, as you suggest, people have been voting on that, they’ve been voting on it with their feet, they have fled California in record numbers.”
The terms of the debate are currently being negotiated over venue conflicts.
