Their political future is uncertain, Newsom and Harris feed young dreams on their way to Compton

Two of California’s most prominent Democrats remain mom about their future plans, but former Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom both spent some time leaning towards a political role in Compton Thursday, attending a separate event at local schools.

When hundreds of graduates crossed the stage in blue and white Regalia early that morning at Compton High School, many stopped to shake hands and took pictures with one of Dais’ honorary guests: the former vice president himself, who unexpectedly made an appearance after being invited by graduates.

Hours later, Newsom read to young students at Clinton Elementary School in Compton, and then stood in front of a cheerful cartoon mural with local leaders to launch a new state literacy program. The problem is a very important issue for the governor, and his education career is usually defined by his dyslexia.

Newsom said it was “accidental” to appear next to each other several miles apart. But they arrived, when both high-octane Democrats were in political dilemma.

The two are seen as potential 2028 presidential candidates, but California’s political world is also waiting for tenterhooks to see if Harris competes in California’s 2026 governorship competition — a move that will almost certainly rule out 2028 presidential bids. Harris is expected to make a decision in the summer and her entrance will overturn the already crowded game.

With only 19 months left in his second and final term, the lame duck governor scrambled to consolidate his governor’s legacy while also positioning himself as a pragmatic leader who could transfer the NPC to the wilderness. Meanwhile, Harris must decide whether she really wants to rule a famous clumsy country, and if so, California voters feel the same.

Thousands of party representatives, activists, donors and labor leaders convened in Anaheim last weekend, Harris and the News Agency were not at the state assembly meeting last weekend.

Newsom was a famous and loyal agent of President Biden at the time. But in recent months, his “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast and its long list of Democratic Bet Neuer guests, the governor worked hard to openly differentiate his brand from his malfunction party, one by one controversial interview.

Meanwhile, Newsom has previously scoffed at speculation and said he does not consider bids to the White House, and despite his obvious ambitions, he admits more publicly that he can run for the country’s highest job in the future.

“I probably do,” Newsom said in an interview last month. “I don’t know, but I have to have a reason for burning, and I have to have a compelling vision to make myself different from anyone else. Without these, without both, and I shouldn’t even be in the conversation.”

Newsom objected when asked if he thought Harris would run for governor.

“Look, I have a guy behind me running for governor, so I’m very careful here,” Newsom said with a laugh at California’s laugh. Tony Thurmond announced his 2026 governor bid in September 2023 – smiling behind him.

Harris attended Compton High School graduation at the invitation of Myshay Causey, a student-athlete and graduated senior, a member of the Student Council of Compton Unified School District. Despite her honorary diploma, she did not speak at the ceremony.

Staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to the report.