President Joe Biden recently made public comments that have been fueling speculation about California Gov. Gavin Newsom being his possible replacement as President in the future. The comments were made in a positive, supportive tone, as Biden praised Newsom’s effectiveness as Governor. This has led to widespread belief that Newsom will be next in line to lead and could potentially have aspirations for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Newsom is one of Biden’s loyal and trusted allies and has stated earlier that he will not seek the job, instead supporting Biden’s bid for re-election. He has actively denied speculations about his potential candidacy and has pledged to stay in office as governor of California until his term ends in 2026, when term limits will require him to vacate the governor’s mansion. Despite this, Newsom’s recent public appearances and visits to China, along with comments from experts, have led many to believe that he may be plotting a shadow presidential campaign.
While speaking at an event in APEC, Biden expressed that Newsom could possibly take over the “hardest job in American politics”. This statement suggests the kind of confidence and admiration Newsom has garnered, which has further fueled the rumors of him being the potential next President. However, given the challenging nature of a late-entry, even if Mr. Newsom were to change his mind and run for President, it’s unclear whether he would get enough support for his candidacy. Regardless, speculation is running wild as to whether Newsom could be the right candidate to replace Biden, and even compete with other presidential hopefuls.