Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered California delegate votes for Vice President Kamala Harris as her Democratic presidential nomination was celebrated during a symbolic roll call Tuesday night at the party's national convention in Chicago.
Surrounded by a sea of cameras, reporters, delegates and politicians on the convention floor, the governor described Harris as a “star” whom he had the privilege of watching for more than 20 years as she fought for criminal, racial, economic and social justice.
“I saw that star shine even brighter as California Attorney General, as a United States Senator, and as Vice President of the United States of America,” Newsom said.
“Kamala Harris has always done the right thing, she has stood up for voting rights, for civil rights, for LGBTQ rights, for the rights of women and girls. Democrats and independents, it is time for us to do the right thing, which is to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States of America.”
Newsom and Harris are longtime friends, political allies and sometimes rivals, and Harris’ campaign chose the Democratic governor to deliver California’s 482 delegate votes at the conclusion of the field. Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, held a campaign rally in Milwaukee and were not present at the convention.
The brief but energetic moment marked Newsom’s only official speech at the four-day political event, where Democrats gathered to praise President Biden as the party’s past and extol Harris as its future.
Newsom has been a leading supporter of Biden, and his praise of the vice president at the event boosted his role as a Harris advocate. Before and after the roll call, the governor spoke to television stations at the request of the Harris campaign.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) said it made sense for both politicians.
“It shows that they understand that the Democratic Party is bigger than one person,” Kamlager-Dove said. “It’s about this idea. It’s about this energy. It’s about the values of the party. He was an incredible representative of Biden, so it would make sense that that would translate into him passing the torch, the delegates, the number that puts her at the top, to Kamala Harris.”
The governor, who has difficulty delivering formal speeches because of his dyslexia, did not join former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and dozens of other luminaries who have given or are expected to give formal speeches in Chicago.
Newsom's aides said the governor was invited to speak on the first day of the convention but decided to take his children to a school orientation in California on Monday morning before flying to Chicago. Newsom arrived at the convention just before Biden spoke Monday night.
As he left the chamber Monday night after Biden's speech, Newsom reflected on the address.
“It’s an emotional speech because it’s possibly the last major speech he’ll give at this stage,” Newsom said. “So it’s a weighty evening — optimistic about the future, but also a reflection on a remarkable career and a remarkable person.”
On Tuesday, as he walked from interviews to the floor, Newsom said Harris has a chance in her convention speech this week “to paint a compelling picture” of an inclusive future, building on Biden’s testimony about her past record.
Newsom aides said the governor would continue to be “very active throughout the week at the convention advocating” for Harris and Walz.
