 The reason why you don't want Kamala Harris to ascend to the candidacy is because she's a black woman. Whenever people start talking about those that might replace Joe Biden, the two names that seem to gravitate to the top of the list are Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer. Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, white dude. Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, white woman.