Gavin Newsom Says He’s Considering 2028 Presidential Campaign: ‘I’d Be Lying Otherwise’
California Governor Gavin Newsom has fueled fresh speculation about his political future after hinting at a potential run for the White House in 2028.
In a candid interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Newsom admitted he has thought about entering the race once his term as governor ends in 2027 — but stopped short of confirming any firm plans.
“I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom said when asked if the presidency was on his mind. “I have no idea. 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. Who the hell knows?”
Newsom emphasized that his focus remains on California for now, adding that the nation’s future leadership depends on “who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment.”
While the governor has repeatedly denied plans to challenge President Biden, his high national profile and active defense of Democratic policies have made him one of the most talked-about potential contenders for the next presidential cycle.
Turning his attention to the midterms, Newsom said that Democrats winning back the House in 2026 is crucial to restoring a “rebalanced system.” He also fears that if Mike Johnson remains Speaker of the House, Republicans may try to push for “a third term of President Trump.”
“[Trump’s] presidency, de facto, ends next November, if we’re successful. If we, the people, are successful in taking back the House,” Newsom said. “His presidency is over, de facto as we know it today, fire and fury signifying maybe something. But finally, you have rebalanced this system.”
Another prominent Democrat, former Vice President Kamala Harris, also recently spoke about her future aspirations. She told BBC‘s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” of working in politics, “I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”
