Newsom 'unequivocally' running for president in 2024 if Biden doesn't, report
Newsom is reportedly "undeniably, unequivocally" planning a 2024 run, contingent upon whether Biden seeks another term.
California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom "absolutely" plans to announce a 2024 presidential bid when President Biden announces he won't seek reelection, according to a news report Monday.
"After this midterm election is over, he absolutely is going to announce that he is running for the presidency once Biden announces that he is not running," an unnamed source, identified as a top fundraiser closely tied with the Newsom family told TheWrap. "No ifs, ands or buts, he will run if Biden does not."
Two unnamed people with knowledge of the governor's plans said he is "undeniably, unequivocally" planning a 2024 run, contingent upon whether the 79-yea-old Biden seeks another term, the story also states.
Newsom's supporters argued the liberal governor has become more moderate in recent years – a likely attempt to begin portraying him as a candidate who would have enough mainstream appeal to win a national election.
"Just look at some of the bills he started vetoing," the fundraising insider told TheWrap. "He has done everything to play toward the middle. But he’s not at all scared to get up and just go after opponents on important issues. He can be a real attack dog."
Newsom vetoed a bill last month that would have allowed cities in his state to create supervised drug injection sites, putting him at odds with his own party. He has also joined former President Donald Trump's Truth Social in June, where he occasionally posts videos to tell conservatives what he sees as the "truth."
Biden has not announced whether he plans on running in 2024. In a CBS "60 Minutes" interview aired Sunday, Biden said it is "much too early" to make a decision, but his "intention" is to run again.