SAN FRANCISCO — Gavin Newsom was everywhere for more than a year as a star surrogate for President Joe Biden. Since Kamala Harris took over the nomination, you almost have to squint to spot the California governor.
Newsom has barely campaigned in other states since his Californian compatriot took the top spot on the Democratic ticket, a sharp change after sweeping the country for Biden, especially during the turbulent final weeks of his candidacy.
The governor was also less active at last week’s Democratic National Convention, preferring to make a round of cable TV and a few podcasts rather than join most of his colleagues for state breakfasts, informal chats with reporters and on the main stage.
More than a month after the reshuffle, it remains unclear what role Harris plays for Newsom, a longtime ally and sometimes rival who comes from the same elite political circles in San Francisco.
Newsom’s limited role in the campaign has been causing a stir in Sacramento for weeks, with political insiders questioning the governor’s status as a national proxy and the extent to which his own future presidential ambitions could be affected by Harris’s rise.
Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom’s political office, said the governor is fully behind Harris and dismissed any idea that his own presidential prospects would be a factor in his level of involvement.
“He is fully focused on electing Vice President Harris, defeating Trump once and for all, and deploying her campaign for the next 70 days,” Click said in an email, “just as he did at the convention, on Fox, and elsewhere at the request of her campaign.”
Click added that Newsom plans to headline a fundraiser for Harris on Wednesday in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco, an event that his office and the Harris campaign had not previously announced. Newsom’s camp said they are also working with Harris’ team on campaign events in September.
The governor’s more limited role is also likely a reflection of the stark differences between Biden and Harris.
Biden needed a burst of youthful enthusiasm to win support among the party’s liberal base, and Newsom was willing to be that voice when few other governors would. There was even some give and take, as when the Biden campaign spoiled Newsom’s Fox News debate with Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, last fall. Harris, by contrast, can amplify her own message nationally, has ample intraparty momentum and needs swing-state supporters who can chip away at former President Donald Trump’s foothold in purple battlegrounds.
“He was a uniquely good replacement for Biden. Kamala doesn’t need the energy supply as much right now,” said Paul Mitchell, a Democratic consultant and political data expert based in Sacramento.
While Newsom withdrew after the president dropped out, others rose to prominence when Harris became the nominee.
Harris has included more House members and senators, as well as leaders from warring states, such as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan — who, as POLITICO previously reported, needed some prodding to get more involved with Biden. Other top Harris deputies include Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, both of whom, unlike Newsom, were in the vice presidential race.
Newsom himself even suggested, in brief remarks last week with the Los Angeles Times, that Harris might not really need a fellow Californian. “Ultimately, the swing states are going to be the deciding factors, and if I can fill a gap that others can’t fill, I’ll be there,” he said.
The chatter around Newsom was heightened by his subdued performance at the convention. The governor made brief speeches from the floor as he led the state in delivering the final delegates to make Harris the party’s nominee, but he was one of the few major California state officials who did not speak from the main stage at the DNC.
According to his camp, he was offered a speaking slot at 7 p.m. on the first night (outside of rush hour), but was unable to arrive in Chicago in time due to a school commitment that morning.
Newsom also caused a minor stir on Friday when, during an interview with Pod Save America, he appeared to joke about the unusual nature of Harris’ ascension: “We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process. It was bottom-up, I don’t know if you know that. That’s what I’ve been told to say.”
However, the governor quickly turned around and told the podcast hosts he was amazed at “how united” the party has become, while praising Harris.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, a previous mentor to both Newsom and Harris, had urged Newsom to vigorously support Harris. On Tuesday, Brown told Playbook, “I still have that attitude.”
As for whether the governor will run for her, Brown said it’s too early to draw conclusions about what role Newsom might play in the final stretch. Besides, he added, that’s ultimately up to the nominee to decide.
Christopher Cadelago contributed to this report.
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