In a surprising turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom found himself navigating his role behind Kamala Harris, his longtime friend and political ally, during the Democratic National Convention. As state after state declared their support for Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, Newsom patiently waited his turn to announce California's votes on the nationally televised stage.

Amid a packed United Center arena, Newsom stood quietly on the sidelines, hands in his suit pockets, observing the jubilant expressions of support for Harris. Despite being the leader of the most populous state in the country, Newsom intentionally kept a low profile, avoiding the swarm of news cameras until it was time for him to take the spotlight and declare California's votes for Harris.

"This is definitely an unexpected development," said Newsom earlier, as he made his way through the backstage of the arena. Newsom's muted presence in Chicago served as a reminder of his crucial yet unclear role in supporting Harris' campaign. Jennifer Horn, a former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party, emphasized the need for Newsom to strike a balance between recognizing his role as a supporter and not overshadowing Harris as the candidate.

In an interview during the convention, Newsom expressed his eagerness to contribute but acknowledged that Harris already had a strong team of surrogates, donors, fundraisers, and volunteers supporting her campaign. While waiting for Harris to assign him a specific role, Newsom was mindful of how his actions could impact her campaign and the perception of Californians across the nation.

During the convention, Newsom made appearances on various news networks and praised Harris in interviews. However, he maintained a limited public schedule, partly due to missing the opportunity to deliver a speech on Monday and instead participating in a school orientation for his children. Nonetheless, he was elated when given the chance to declare California's delegates for Harris and close out the roll call on Tuesday.

Being cast in the role of second fiddle to Harris represents a shift in the longstanding dynamic between Newsom and Harris in California politics. Newsom, known for his flashy and unconventional approach, has often garnered more attention than Harris since their early days in San Francisco. With a distinguished background as the son of a lawyer and an appellate court justice, Newsom's privileged upbringing contrasts with Harris' journey as a woman of color with immigrant parents.

Having forged their friendship over two decades ago, both Harris and Newsom were sworn into their respective offices on the same day in 2004. Harris chronicled that momentous occasion in her autobiography, highlighting the sense of possibility and a new chapter opening for San Francisco politics.

As the Democratic National Convention drew to a close, Newsom's presence at a California delegation party drew a shout-out from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, Newsom remained lowkey and stayed in the VIP area of the event, recognizing that the focus should be on national figures and leaders from other states.

The convention marked the beginning of Harris' ascent to the national stage, leaving Newsom to adapt to his new role as a supportive ally. With his ambitions for a top-tier candidacy in the future, Newsom aims to strike a delicate balance between being helpful to Harris and not overshadowing her campaign. As the campaign trail continues, all eyes will be on how Newsom navigates this unique political landscape.