Gov. Newsom endorses VP Kamala Harris, says she can ‘guide our country’

Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose name had been circulated as a possible contender if Biden stepped way, has announced his support for Kamala Harris for president.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is with her.

California’s chief executive signaled support for Vice President Kamala Harris Sunday afternoon, hours after President Joe Biden set aside his re-election bid and endorsed Harris to lead the top of the Democratic ticket.

“Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President,” Newsom said in a social media post.

Related: Gov. Gavin Newsom keeps promoting President Biden, but it’s his future that takes center stage

While questions about whether Biden, 81, would — or should — remain at the top of the ticket mounted, Newsom’s name was often thrown out as a potential person who could run for the White House. Newsom, however, remained a stalwart defender of the president.

“I will never turn my back on President Biden,” Newsom said after the presidential debate last month that began the trajectory for Biden’s exit from the race.

On Sunday, Newsom joined other major Democrats, including Burbank Rep. Adam Schiff, in backing Harris, a fellow Californian.

He also praised Biden’s leadership in the wake of his exit.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans,” Newsom said. “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”