California’s Governor revealed that he would give thought to a presidential campaign after next year’s midterm elections, a day subsequent to former Vice President Kamala Harris announcing her own consideration for a run.
When Robert Costa of CBS’s inquired if he would pursue the White House in 2028, Newsom initially hesitated.
“The notion that someone who scored 960 on his SATs, still finds it challenging to read scripts, and consistently sat at the back of the classroom… the very idea that such a suggestion would be made is extraordinary in itself. Who truly knows? I am eager to see who comes forward in 2028 and who proves suitable for that time,” the 58-year-old Newsom commented.
Upon being pressed by Costa about whether he would “seriously consider” the prospect post-midterms, Newsom responded: “Indeed, I would be dishonest otherwise. I would simply be lying. And I cannot—I am unable to do that.”
As the governor of America’s most populous Democratic state, Newsom would likely rank among the leading contenders in any forthcoming Democratic primary.
He has become a prominent Democratic figure opposing Donald Trump throughout his second term, confronting the president on various issues, including his deployment of National Guard forces, redistricting initiatives, and what Newsom has described as an escalating authoritarian suppression of his adversaries.
Newsom has also garnered notice for his social media engagement, particularly his playful mockery of Trump. His X (formerly Twitter) account frequently mimics Trump’s characteristic all-caps writing and utilization of AI-generated artwork.
Concurrently, Newsom stands out among leading Democrats for demonstrating an openness to engage with conservatives. He had previously welcomed the late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk to his podcast, acting on a suggestion from his son.
A survey published last month designated Newsom as the leading contender among Democrats for the favored 2028 nominee, with 21% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters expressing their choice for him. Former Vice President Kamala Harris finished second in the at 19%, while a New York Representative registered 12%.