California’s two most outstanding Democrats stay mum on their future plans, however former Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom each took time to are likely to their political personas in Compton Thursday, attending separate occasions at native colleges.
As lots of of graduating seniors crossed the stage of their blue and white regalia early that morning at Compton Excessive College, many paused to shake palms and take selfies with an honored visitor on the dais: the previous vice chairman herself, who’d made a shock look after being invited by a graduating scholar.
A number of hours later, Newsom learn to younger college students at Compton’s Clinton Elementary College earlier than standing with native leaders in entrance of a cheery, cartoon mural to launch a new state literacy plan. The problem is one among deep significance to the governor, whose personal academic profession was often defined by his dyslexia.
The adjoining appearances, which occurred just a few miles aside, have been “coincidental,” Newsom mentioned. However they arrive at a second when each the high-octane Democrats are in a political limbo of types.
The pair are seen as potential 2028 presidential candidates, however the California political world can also be ready on tenterhooks to see if Harris enters California’s 2026 race for governor – a transfer that may virtually definitely preclude a 2028 presidential bid. Harris is anticipated to decide by summer time, and her entrance would upend the already crowded race.
With simply 19 months left in his second and ultimate time period, the lame duck governor is scrambling to cement his gubernatorial legacy whereas additionally positioning himself as a realistic chief able to steering his nationwide social gathering out of the wilderness. Harris, in the meantime, should resolve if she truly desires to manipulate a famously unwieldy state and, if she does, whether or not California voters really feel the identical.
Each Harris and Newsom have been notably absent on the state social gathering conference final weekend, as hundreds of social gathering delegates, activists, donors and labor leaders convened in Anaheim.
California Governor Gavin Newsom presents his Golden State Literacy Plan at Clinton Elementary College in Compton on Thursday.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Occasions)
Newsom was a famously loyal surrogate to then-President Biden. However in current months together with his “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast and its lengthy checklist of Democratic bête noire company, the governor has labored to publicly differentiate his personal model from that of his bedraggled social gathering, one controversial interview at a time.
In the meantime, Newsom — who beforehand scoffed on the hypothesis and mentioned he wasn’t contemplating a bid for the White Home, regardless of his manifest ambitions — is extra overtly acknowledging that he may run for the nation’s high job sooner or later.
“I’d,” Newsom mentioned in an interview final month. “I don’t know, however I’ve to have a burning why, and I’ve to have a compelling imaginative and prescient that distinguishes myself from anyone else. With out that, with out each, and, I don’t need to even be within the dialog.”
Newsom demurred Thursday when requested whether or not he thought Harris would run for governor.
“Look, I received somebody proper behind me operating for governor, so I’m going to be very cautious right here,” Newsom mentioned to laughter, as California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond — who announced his 2026 gubernatorial bid again in September 2023 — smiled behind him.
Harris attended the Compton Excessive commencement on the invitation of Compton Unified College District Pupil Board Member MyShay Causey, a scholar athlete and graduating senior. She didn’t communicate on the ceremony, although she obtained an honorary diploma.
Workers author Taryn Luna contributed to this report.
