Governor Gavin Newsom has announced he will consider a run for the White House following the 2026 midterm elections. In an exclusive interview with “CBS News Sunday Morning” taped in San Jose, Newsom confirmed he would give serious thought to a presidential bid after the elections, stating, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not—I can’t do that.”
Newsom, a prominent Democratic critic of President Donald Trump, has gained national attention for his outspoken opposition to many of the Trump administration’s policies. He has used social media to challenge the president, often mimicking Trump’s style with bold posts and memes. Newsom’s term as governor will end in January 2027, and he is barred from seeking another term due to term limits.
The governor’s potential candidacy could significantly impact the Democratic primary landscape for the 2028 presidential election. His national profile has been rising, with recent trips to battleground states like South Carolina, where he met with Democratic leaders and grassroots activists. This has fueled speculation about his higher political ambitions.
Newsom’s political journey has been marked by his willingness to confront challenges head-on. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, he has risen to prominence in California politics. Reflecting on his life experiences, Newsom said, “The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, that still struggles to read scripts, that was always in the back of the classroom, the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, extraordinary.”
While Newsom considers a potential presidential run, he remains focused on advancing California’s Proposition 50, a measure to adjust congressional district boundaries in response to redistricting efforts in Republican-controlled states like Texas. He described the issue as crucial to “our democracy” and emphasized the importance of “the rule of law, and not the rule of Don,” referencing President Trump.
Recent polls indicate growing support for Newsom on the national stage. A CBS poll found that 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters believe Newsom should run for president in 2028. Additionally, an Emerson College poll showed Newsom trailing Republican Vice President JD Vance by just one percentage point in a hypothetical 2028 matchup.
However, Newsom’s actions have also faced criticism, with some arguing that he is more focused on national ambitions than addressing state issues. A poll from the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, found that 54% of respondents believe Newsom is prioritizing his potential presidential candidacy over governing California.
As Newsom contemplates his political future, he remains a central figure in the Democratic Party’s search for strong contenders for the 2028 presidential election. His decision, expected after the 2026 midterms, will likely influence policy debates and the broader national conversation on leadership and governance.
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