Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Sunday on CBS’s “Sunday Morning” that he will “seriously consider” a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination following the 2026 midterm elections, ending months of speculation about his national ambitions.
During an interview with national correspondent Robert Costa, the term-limited governor, who has emerged as a high-profile critic of the Trump administration, acknowledged his presidential prospects after the 2026 elections.
When pressed by Costa on whether it would be “fair to say” he would give a White House bid “serious thought” after the midterms, Newsom was definitive: “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom responded. “I’d just be lying, and I can’t do that.”
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The remarks follow numerous steps Newsom has taken to raise his national profile, including a recent tour through South Carolina and increased public sparring with President Donald Trump and other Republicans on social media. Despite the heightened activity, Newsom struck a cautious tone about his future, saying, “Who the hell knows? I’m looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment, and that’s the question for the American people.”
He also referenced his personal journey when discussing the possibility of a presidential run, noting his past struggles with dyslexia. “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 even throw that out is in and of itself extraordinary,” he commented. He concluded by quoting German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, emphasizing the need for a compelling “why” behind a campaign. “Look, that faith will determine that.”
Newsom’s potential candidacy comes amid mixed public opinion both nationally and in his home state. An Emerson College poll from October 2025 showed him essentially tied with Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical 2028 matchup, trailing by just one point (45% to Vance’s 46%).
READ: California Gov. Newsom Peddles Fake News Trying To Own JD Vance
However, the California governor has faced significant domestic criticism over his state’s persistent issues, including crime and homelessness. His leadership also came under intense scrutiny following the devastating Los Angeles County fires, which left thousands displaced. Furthermore, a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll from April 2025 found that 54% of registered voters in California believe Newsom is more focused on benefiting himself as a presidential candidate than on governing the state.
Despite these challenges, the governor has continued to focus on opposing the Trump administration, using his podcast and social media presence to launch attacks on the President, even while facing pushback from his own party on certain progressive policies, such as his recent statements on biological men competing in women’s sports.
The announcement positions Newsom as a likely top contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination, though he has made it clear that his focus remains on the current political landscape and the upcoming 2026 elections.
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