California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday that he would consider running for president after next year's midterm elections. This statement came a day after former Vice President Kamala Harris indicated she would consider running again.
Redaksiya reports that in response to a question from Robert Costa on CBS's "Sunday Morning" program, Newsom initially hesitated about whether he would run for the White House in 2028. "For a guy who got a 960 on his SAT, still struggles to read scripts, always sat in the back of the class... it's extraordinary to even suggest that idea. Who knows? I look forward to seeing who presents themselves in 2028 and how they meet that moment," said Newsom, 58.
As the governor of the most populous Democratic state in the US, Newsom will likely be at the forefront of future Democratic primaries. During his second term, he has emerged as a key Democratic figure of resistance against Donald Trump, battling the president on issues such as the deployment of National Guard troops, zoning efforts, and what he described as increasingly authoritarian pressures against his opponents. Newsom has also garnered attention for trolling Trump on social media. His X account is often used to parody Trump's all-caps writing style and use of artificial intelligence. At the same time, Newsom stands out among high-ranking Democrats for his willingness to engage with conservatives. He previously hosted Charlie Kirk, who has right-wing influence, on his podcast after his son recommended it. A poll published last month showed Newsom as the most desired candidate among Democrats in 2028, with 21% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters choosing him. Former Vice President Kamala Harris came in second with 19% in the Yahoo/YouGov poll, and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was third with 12%.