California Governor Gavin Newsom recently told CBS News and NBC that he would seriously consider running for president in 2028, but only after assessing the outcomes of the 2026 midterm elections, in which Democrats aim to regain control of Congress.
He emphasized that denying interest in a White House bid would be dishonest, positioning himself as a vocal critic of President Trump while touring key states like South Carolina. Polls from Emerson College and YouGov indicate that Newsom has surged in popularity among Democrats for the 2028 nomination, often tying or trailing Kamala Harris by a few points but ahead of figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). His chances of securing the Democratic nomination are bolstered by his national profile and fundraising prowess, though Harris’s broader appeal among moderates and AOC’s progressive base could fragment support.
Against Vice President JD Vance, the likely GOP frontrunner for 2028, betting odds from sites like Newsweek show Newsom with competitive but slightly lower prospects of winning the general election compared to Harris, who polls stronger nationally. AOC, while energizing younger voters, faces steeper odds against Vance due to her polarizing image, potentially making Newsom a more viable centrist alternative for Democrats seeking electability.
Despite these ambitions, many political observers and X users suspect Newsom’s presidential aspirations persist amid criticisms of his governance in California, where homelessness and high taxes have drawn scrutiny. Recent polls from PPIC and UCI show his approval rating rebounding to around 52-55% in California, partly fueled by clashes with Trump. However, detractors argue this masks underlying unpopularity outside liberal strongholds.
Newsom has also faced backlash over his handling of state issues, yet his national trolling of Trump has elevated his profile, leading some to view him as a de facto Democratic leader post-2024. Adding tension, Newsom recently accused Trump’s DOJ of voter intimidation by deploying election monitors to California counties ahead of November 2025 polls, a move prompted by GOP concerns over past irregularities like duplicate ballots and illegal aliens voting.
We want to ask you, the reader: do you think Gavin Newsom would win the presidency if he ran in 2028? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on a Newsom vs. Vance match up.
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