California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic leader and vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s second term, has publicly confirmed he’s seriously considering a run for the White House in 2028.
In a CBS Sunday Morning interview aired on October 26, 2025, Newsom stated he’d “be lying” if he claimed he wasn’t thinking about it, but emphasized he’d decide after the 2026 midterm elections. This marks his most direct acknowledgment yet, shifting from years of denials where he described his interest as “sub-zero.”
His term ends in January 2027 due to term limits, freeing him up for a national bid. Newsom’s comments come amid heightened speculation fueled by his high-profile clashes with Trump, including challenges to federal military deployments in Los Angeles and pushes to redraw California’s congressional maps to counter Republican efforts in states like Texas.
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He’s positioned himself as a “resistance” figure, mocking Trump’s social media style and warning of threats to election integrity—tying into his support for Proposition 50, a ballot measure aimed at safeguarding voting rights. A recent CBS poll showed strong backing: 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters want him to run.
Trump’s 2024 victory over Kamala Harris has left Democrats scrambling for a post-Biden/Harris leader. Newsom, who was a key Biden surrogate in 2024, has surged in visibility by leading Democratic responses to Trump’s agenda on immigration, climate, and redistricting.
Earlier in 2025, Newsom visited South Carolina the potential first Democratic primary state and met with influential figures like Rep. Jim Clyburn, signaling early groundwork. He’s also addressed misconceptions about his “silver spoon” background, emphasizing his single-mother upbringing to broaden appeal.
The field is wide open, with no clear frontrunner. Newsom’s combative style contrasts with more moderate Democrats, but he faces hurdles like perceptions of California as a “failed state” due to homelessness, crime, and high costs—issues Trump allies like JD Vance a likely 2028 GOP contender could weaponize.
A Crowded Democratic PrimaryNewsom isn’t alone in eyeing 2028. Here’s a snapshot of potential rivals based on recent polling and betting markets (e.g., Polymarket odds as of October 2025).
Polymarket aggregated polls from CBS, NYT, and WSJ. Newsom leads early hypotheticals, but a Harris-Newsom showdown could dominate headlines, given their shared California roots. On X, reactions are polarized but intense: Enthusiastic Democrats see him as the “people’s president” who “gets things done,” with posts like “Gavin Newsom 2028? YES” gaining thousands of likes. Parody accounts and fans flood timelines with “Make America California!” memes.
Conservatives mock him as a “Botox-stiffened” “wanna-be” whose state is a “landfill’s asshole,” predicting a rout by Vance. One viral thread called his Trump obsession “creepy” and his run “doomed.”
Prediction markets give only a 6% chance he’ll announce by December 31, 2025, reflecting caution. Broader discourse ties his bid to Democratic urgency, with some urging figures like Obama to re-enter the fray.
Newsom’s net worth ~$30 million from wine and hospitality ventures and family (wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom and four kids) are under new scrutiny, potentially humanizing him but also inviting attacks on “privilege.”
Newsom plans to focus on 2026 midterms, aiming to flip House seats and bolster Democratic turnout. If Republicans hold or expand their narrow majority, it could turbocharge his “meets the moment” narrative. A formal announcement might not come until mid-2027, but his CBS pivot has launched the unofficial campaign.
In a fractured party, Newsom’s blend of charisma, combativeness, and caution positions him as a top contender—but success hinges on proving he can win beyond the coasts. As he put it: “Who the hell knows?” For now, the speculation is louder than ever.