Gov. Newsom Personally Announces Final Delegate Votes At DNC
Newsom’s announcement leaves many wondering where he goes from here
By Evan Symon, August 21, 2024 1:21 pm
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom personally announced the final delegate votes of the night for Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, raising questions about what, if any, role he will have should Harris win in November.
Before speeches from former President Barack Obama and others on Tuesday night, the traditional national convention roll call of the states was held. While California Governors have announced the state’s tally in the past, such as then-Governor Jerry Brown announcing how California’s votes were going at the 2016 DNC in Philadelphia, the 2024 DNC was different. As Harris is from California, California was the last state to be called. And while many California lawmakers and dignitaries were there, including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and labor leader Dolores Huerta, Newsom was ultimately tapped to pledge the votes.
“I’ve had the privilege for over 20 years to see that future taking shape with a star in an Alameda County courtroom by the name of Kamala Harris,” said Newsom from the convention floor. “I saw that star. I saw that star fighting for criminal justice, racial justice, social justice. I saw that star get even brighter as attorney general of California, as a United States senator and as the vice president of the United States of America.
“Harris has always done the right thing. A champion for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, rights for women and girls. Democrats and independents, it’s time for us to do the right thing and make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States of America.”
Newsom pledged all 482 votes to Harris, officially making her the Democratic nominee. While speeches by others including former President Barack Obama followed, Newsom’s delegate pledge was one of the highlights of the night, as it was Harris’ home state and Newsom having a national profile.
Afterwards, many began to question where Newsom would go from here. It is known that Newsom will continue to stump for Harris until November. Newsom had been the primary surrogate for President Joe Biden when he was still running earlier this year, and was also his primary defender. Following Biden’s disastrous June debate performance, Newsom had been the first one to do damage control for Biden, even having to deny that he would take his place as nominee. Before Biden pulled out of the race last month, Newsom even worked with Harris to say that Biden was still the candidate. And when Biden pulled out and Harris emerged as the frontrunner, he quickly backed her as the main candidate and has recently even helped her in fundraising events.
.@realDonaldTrump is absolutely spinning with Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket.
He doesn’t know what to do.
It’s an incredible thing to watch.
While he spins we’re gearing up to vote and to WIN. pic.twitter.com/hVcAzAkSbJ
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 21, 2024
But on Wednesday, the question has gained momentum: What now for Newsom? With Harris as the nominee, it could be until 2032 that Newsom has a clear shot for running in an open race – six years removed from being Governor. It’s not unprecedented, as Ronald Reagan managed to get the Republican nomination and presidency in 1980 six years after leaving the Governor’s office. But he had also never left. He ran a close 1976 presidential campaign and stayed in the media spotlight as a critic against Jimmy Carter and stayed active in politics.
For Newsom, that might be a bit of a stretch. He is planning for something post 2026. He has plans to move back to Marin County and is building his media presence through things like podcasts. And as the Globe noted before, this all depends on what Harris does this year. Nationally, Harris has only about a three point lead over Trump as of Wednesday, with her VP pick and DNC hype pushing her over in recent weeks. Should she lose, Newsom has an open shot in 2028 against a Republican who isn’t Trump – the first time he won’t be the GOP nominee since 2012.
But a Harris win brings complications. Newsom has been a big supporter of Harris partially for these reasons. He wants something to carry him over through the 2020s. A cabinet position, either pre-Governor or post-Governor, is likely. Especially as a second term cabinet member should she win in 2028. But so is Newsom trying for another office to help bridge between 2026 and 2032. Regardless of the scenario, the DNC spotlight on Newsom on Tuesday made it clear: He’s not going anywhere.
“Newsom is keeping all his options open right now. And like we’ve seen from candidates in his position in the past, he’s sticking close to the nominee to stay relevant,” said Melissa Spielman, a political analyst who focuses on presidential primaries, to the Globe on Monday. “2028 was supposed to be his year to run regardless. You’ve all seen all the build up he has been having. So with Harris in, and 2028 possibly being a reelection year for her, Newsom suddenly has to worry about that potential six year gap.
“It looks like he is planning to do what Hillary Clinton did. Get a cabinet position to keep up the national profile. For Newsom, it’s either leave the Governor’s office early in 2024, wait until after 2026 for any open positions, or 2028 when the second term reshuffle happens. Or Newsom could go for Senator too. But, him staying so close to her, it’s pretty obvious what he is gunning for. That speech last night sealed it. He’ll fundraise and give speeches for her, and in the end, if she wins, he’ll get something.
“But this is all assuming Harris wins. Trump wins, Newsom is back on track to run in 2028. And bonus for him, Newsom campaigning for Harris gives him additional exposure. It’s more than obvious what Newsom wants. Biden dropping out and Harris coming in just severely altered potential plans.”
It is currently unknown if Newsom is to speak again at the DNC.
Where does Newsom go from here?
Behind bars…
Newsom needs to return with his master satan in hell!
LOL at comments of previous posters…
Harris loses despite massive ballot fraud? The Democrats will cause a constitutional crisis and call for nationwide riots. What Newsom does then will seal his political fate.
Harris wins? What we saw in the pick of the boring Walz, instead of the more dynamic Shapiro, is that Kamala doesn’t like grandstanding rivals. Newsom better think about Senator.
Pursuant to the antics exhibited at the Democratic and Republican charades, does anybody believe America can last more than another 6 months?
Newsom at this very moment is angry and bitter because the DNC humiliated him by relegating him to the convention floor to embarrassingly yell and bloviate to nominate Kamala instead of inviting him to give the proper speech he thinks he has coming to him from the podium. Meanwhile, that bubble-head Lt Gov Eleni Koulanakis was invited to speak, which must have REALLY chapped old Gruesome’s hide. Good. And how can he not be ruminating and angrily muttering to himself that all of his painstaking plans and efforts and groveling have been dashed. “All of my beautiful wickedness!” He is nothing is not completely self-regarding but ironically he simply does not know that others see right through him.
Regarding any strategy he might be trying to patch together now from the wreckage, he would probably like Kamala to lose. Knowing Newsom as we do, this is evident from the hyperactive way he gushes about her, which is sort of a “tell” of his. Look at the way he shamelessly pumped up Crooked Joe, for instance, when we all knew he wanted him GONE SO BAD. Kamala losing will leave him a clear field (he thinks) in 2028. But right now he really has no options to stay relevant, the podcast is a JOKE, an unintentional one, and if anyone can stand to listen to the stupid thing it has the potential to HURT him politically more than help. In addition, both he and his time as CA Gov are not going to age well. It’s looking now like every step he takes is a misstep and no one more richly deserves to flail and flounder after all the misery he has caused than Gov Gavin Newsom.
Kamala is NOT BY ANY MEANS OR RATIONALITY ahead of Trump nationally. This is a joke right? They are lying about her popularity and The Globe is eating it right up. They cheat lie and will steal this election and we will all suffer even more.