Governor Gavin Newsom to Decide on 2028 Presidential Run by January
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that he will make a decision on a potential run for the presidency in the 2028 election by early January. This statement follows his previous commitment not to enter the race if Vice President Kamala Harris also decides to run.
During the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, Newsom discussed his future political aspirations. “We will make that decision in the next few months,” he told Turkey’s Anadolu news agency. “I’ll make the determination at the beginning of the year, so we’ll spend the next few weeks with family and make a decision by early January,” he added.
Political Landscape Complicated by Harris’ Potential Candidacy
Speculation surrounding Newsom as a leading Democratic contender has been growing, particularly as he prepares to leave office in January. He is among a group of potential Democratic candidates that includes notable figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Sen. Jon Ossoff from Georgia.
However, Newsom’s ambitions may be complicated by the political landscape if Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, opts to run again. Newsom has reiterated his stance of not challenging her directly. In a September interview, he remarked, “I don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see. I wouldn’t run if she ran.”
Acknowledging the Democratic Field
In interviews, Newsom expressed the dramatic dynamics within the Democratic party as various candidates may vie for the nomination. He acknowledged the complexities that would arise from multiple candidates competing, remarking on the potential “mutual-assured destruction” among contenders. Despite the competitive nature of the primary, he is optimistic about the party’s direction following significant electoral victories.
Commenting on recent midterm election outcomes which saw Republicans suffer substantial losses, he stated, “Donald Trump’s presidency, as we know it, ended last week in the U.S. It was a historic rebuke of his tenure.” Newsom emphasized that it is now crucial for successful candidates to “govern and lead” and for the Democratic Party to present a viable alternative agenda.
Looking Ahead
As he navigates the decision-making process, Newsom is acutely aware of the timeline, given that he is term-limited following the end of his governorship in 2026. The coming weeks will be pivotal for him as he weighs personal and political considerations ahead of a potential 2028 campaign.
Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
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