Nancy Pelosi’s comments on Gavin Newsom’s White House bid offered one of the clearest signs yet that the California governor is headed toward a presidential run. Speaking Tuesday at a Politico event, the former House speaker praised Newsom as hardworking and responsible, then suggested his decision to enter the race may be only a question of when.
Pelosi was asked what she would do if Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris both ran for president. The two California Democrats are seen as early front-runners in a field that could get crowded fast. She tried to keep the focus on the candidates themselves, saying, “Let’s let them make their announcements, okay?” and adding, “We’re talking about speculation. We don’t know who’s running. We’ll find out soon.”
Pressed again on whether she would support Newsom, Pelosi appeared to leave little doubt about how she views his prospects. “When he decides to run, we’ll find out what that will be,” she said. Newsom has said publicly that he is still weighing whether to run, but Pelosi’s wording made her confidence in a future campaign hard to miss.
Pelosi also drew a personal picture of the governor, saying most people do not see how hard he works. She said she had watched him study diligently since he was a boy and described him as responsible. Columnist Jonathan Martin noted that Pelosi has previously said she would back Newsom because he is like family, with the two distantly related by marriage.
