(Bloomberg) -- California governor Gavin Newsom threw his support behind Kamala Harris, describing her as “tough, fearless and tenacious” on social media, ending speculation that he could challenge the vice president for the nomination.
Newsom’s backing came several hours after he praised president Joe Biden in the aftermath of his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, in a post that notably failed to mention Harris. Others, such as North Carolina governor Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro offered their support for the vice president against former president Donald Trump in November.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t yet endorsed Harris, but she doesn’t intend to compete for the Democratic presidential nomination, said a person with knowledge of the matter.
Whitmer plans to let either Harris or another Democrat take the lead and run against Republican nominee Donald Trump, said the person, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private. Whitmer is said to view the situation as complex and not an ideal time to make a bid.
Whitmer has been governor of Michigan, a swing state, since 2019. She has backed Biden since his disastrous presidential debate, but in the aftermath warned the White House that Michigan could be tough to win in November.
Michigan pollster EPIC/MRA released a poll Sunday showing that Biden is losing ground to Trump. The most recent poll gave Trump a lead with 49% to Biden’s 42%. Biden trailed 41% to 38% in June.
A spokeswoman for Whitmer didn’t directly respond to questions. Instead she replied by sending the governor’s post on social media.
Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, who like Newsom, Whitmer and Shapiro have been floated as potential vice president or even presidential nominees, also offered praise for Biden without mentioning Harris.
(Updates with Newsom in lead)
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