Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, hours after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection.

The endorsement kept California's top Democrats united as Messrs. Newsom and Harris have risen to prominence in Bay Area politics, becoming two of the state's most prominent elected officials and seen as potential presidential rivals.

“Tough. Fearless. Tenacious,” Newsom said in a post on Twitter. “At a time when our democracy and future are at stake, there is no one better suited than the Vice President of the United States to denounce Donald Trump's dark vision and steer our country in a healthier direction.”

Newsom has been talked about as a possible presidential candidate after Biden leaves office and has raised his profile over the past two years by speaking out on national issues, debating Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis and serving as a surrogate for Biden's campaign.

Since Biden's disastrous debate defeat, Newsom has remained a public supporter of the president, and said earlier this month that he would not challenge Harris for the 2024 presidential election.

“Absolutely,” Newsom said when asked if he was keeping his word from last year that he wouldn't run against Harris. “Yes.”