The other power-hungry Democrat who’s found himself cast into the wilderness alongside Biden as DNC swells with Kamala support

With Kamala Harris set to accept the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday night, many are wondering what happened to the other left-wing California politician who many thought would take Joe Biden’s place.

Two-term California Governor Gavin Newsom has been positioning himself as Biden’s potential successor for more than a year, even posturing enough to go on a debate with Ron DeSantis on Fox News.

Instead, Newsom has been relegated this week to giving interviews as a surrogate and announcing Harris’ nomination on behalf of his state’s delegates.

Newsom hasn’t even had a regular speaker at a convention that has featured everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Ana Navarro.

However, people close to him believe the governor still has a bright future, despite his term limit and the fact that two younger Democrats hold seats in the U.S. Senate.

Newsom has been relegated to giving interviews as a surrogate and announcing Harris’ nomination on behalf of his state’s delegates

“Ridiculous,” Newsom spokesman Nathan Click told the Sacramento bee when his boss’s star had faded.

“He’s excited about the ticket and he’s going to hit the road, just like he’s done before. He’s focused on beating Donald Trump in 2024.”

Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris both took office in the San Francisco Bay Area.

His public appearance began in 2022, when he began criticizing Democrats for being too soft on their own agenda.

“Where is the Democratic Party? Why aren’t we standing up more? More resolute? Why aren’t we calling this out?”

He appeared to be setting himself up as a spokesman for the Democratic Party, setting up a super PAC called Campaign For Democracy and touring states where the party was deeply red.

The campaign reached a fever pitch in December 2023 during a debate with his Florida counterpart, DeSantis, who pointed out his hypocrisy during COVID-19 by going to the fancy French Laundry restaurant and sending his children to private schools while his residents were still in lockdown.

He said California ran out of UHauls because so many people were moving to red states, including Florida. He said the new Florida residents include Newsom’s wife’s father.

Biden gave one of his final public speeches Monday night. After he dropped out, many suggested Newsom wanted the job

Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris both took office in the San Francisco Bay Area

Newsom didn’t flinch during the one-on-one debate in Alpharetta, Georgia, lashing out at DeSantis, saying neither will run for president in 2024.

“You almost have to try to ruin California,” DeSantis said during his fiery opening statement explaining why his state is superior. “That’s what Gavin Newsom has done since he became governor.”

Newsom first challenged DeSantis to a debate in September 2022, when DeSantis was not yet running in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

The governor’s profile put him in the news after Joe Biden’s disastrous debate, with many suggesting he could win the open primary against Harris.

However, Newsom immediately headed to New Hampshire to campaign for Joe Biden, but many still speculate that he will replace the president on the list of candidates.

Despite all the speculation, Newsom said adamantly that he would “never turn my back on President Biden” and vowed not to conduct a secret campaign.

“I don’t know of a Democrat in my party who would do that. And especially after tonight, we have his back,” he said.

Instead, he did his best to convince Americans that the president is still capable.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (left) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) met in Alpharetta, Georgia in December for a one-on-one debate hosted by Fox News and moderated by Sean Hannity (center).

“I’ve spent a lot of time with him. I know Joe Biden. I know what he’s accomplished over the last three and a half years. I know what he’s capable of. And I have no hesitation whatsoever.”

Newsom, 56, told DailyMail.com that claims he could replace Biden, 81, in November were “ridiculous.”

Apparently he proved his own claim when he endorsed Harris almost immediately after she announced her intention to run.

“Tough. Fearless. Persistent. With our democracy at stake and our future at stake, no one is better positioned to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and lead our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President,” Newsom posted X hours after Biden withdrew.

Newsom’s support for Harris is a sign of solidarity between the two and advances the two’s long, intertwined political careers.

Earlier this month, he also confirmed that he would not challenge Harris for president in 2024 — a pledge he made long ago — saying he “of course” would not run against her.

On Thursday night, Newsom’s only major appearance was again on Fox News, where her fellow Californian had the biggest night of her political life.