**Will Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom Both Run for President – and Could They Share a Ticket?**
The prospect of Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom both running for president has sparked an intriguing question: Is there any possibility of a shared ticket? And more importantly, is it even legal for a president and vice president to be from the same state?
This question, while rare in presidential politics, is not new. As we look towards the 2028 election—still a few years away—and focus on the more immediate 2024 midterms, recent comments from these two prominent California politicians have reignited this fascinating discussion.
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### Kamala Harris – ‘I Am Not Done’
After two failed presidential runs—the second while serving as vice president—many might have assumed Kamala Harris would dial back her ambitions. Yet recent polls and her own statements suggest otherwise.
Much like Joe Biden, who lost nationally twice before winning the presidency in 2020, Harris appears undeterred. In a recent BBC News interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Harris spoke candidly about the possibility of another presidential run, saying, “I am not done.”
Kuenssberg pressed her, noting that bookmakers rank her as an outsider, even trailing figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Harris responded by emphasizing that she never paid much attention to polls anyway.
Looking at current polling data, there is indeed a base that still supports Harris. The University of New Hampshire’s 2028 Democratic Presidential Primary Poll (released October 27) showed:
– Pete Buttigieg leading with 19%
– Governor Gavin Newsom second at 15%
– Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez third at 14%
– Kamala Harris fourth with 11%
Harris holds a similar position in Maine polls. Nationally, a September RealClearPolitics (RCP) average showed her in second place behind Newsom, with 20% to his 25%, and Buttigieg trailing at 11.8%.
Given this data, it seems fair to say Kamala Harris is far from done with presidential ambitions.
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### Gavin Newsom – ‘Fate Will Determine’
Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, currently polls even higher than Harris and many other Democratic hopefuls. National surveys frequently place him at the top of the pack for the Democratic primary, demonstrating significant support.
So, will Newsom run?
When asked by CBS News Sunday Morning about his intentions, he admitted he would be “lying” if he said he hadn’t considered it. With his gubernatorial term ending in January 2027 and California’s term limits preventing him from seeking re-election, Newsom appears poised to explore the presidency.
However, he remains cautious, noting that 2027 is still “years away” and that ultimately, “Fate will determine” his decision.
Newsom further elaborated in a CNN interview, emphasizing the growing challenges facing American elections. He highlighted Proposition 50, an initiative aimed at ensuring “free and fair” elections in 2028, and noted a shift in his mindset and priorities given the evolving political landscape.
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### Presidential Politics and the Constitution
With Harris and Newsom both leading contenders, the idea of a joint California ticket in 2028 is tempting to ponder. But is it legal?
Can a president and vice president come from the same state?
While rare in modern times, there is no outright constitutional prohibition against this. However, the 12th Amendment states:
> “The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves…”
This means electors cannot cast votes for both president and vice president if both candidates are inhabitants of the elector’s own state.
A famous example is the 2000 election. Vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney re-established residency in Wyoming to avoid being on the same-state ticket as George W. Bush, who was from Texas. While this move was likely politically motivated, it also avoided potential legal complications.
The real issue is electoral votes: if a president and vice president hail from the same state, they could end up losing that state’s electors, which might alter the election’s outcome. For example, in a close race like Bush and Cheney in 2000, losing Texas’s 32 electors would have had a significant impact.
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### Looking Ahead to 2028
Could a Harris-Newsom ticket legally serve together? Yes.
But politically, it might be a risky move. Losing California’s 54 electoral votes—by far the largest—would be a major setback in any general election.
Currently, the Democratic primary looks competitive among the top candidates, including Harris and Newsom. Meanwhile, the Republican side has a frontrunner: JD Vance, who leads many GOP primary polls by a wide margin.
At this stage, no Democrat has clearly emerged as the challenger most likely to defeat Vance, especially without California’s electoral votes.
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### Conclusion
Both Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom remain strong contenders in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary race. While a joint ticket from California is constitutionally valid, it carries electoral risks that might make it unlikely.
As the political landscape evolves towards 2028, all eyes will remain on these Golden State politicians and how their ambitions shape the race ahead.
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*Stay tuned for more updates as the 2024 midterms unfold and 2028 comes closer.*
https://www.libertynation.com/gavin-newsom-and-kamala-harris-a-2028-presidential-conundrum/
