Will Gavin Newsom Step Up to the Presidential Challenge

Gavin Newsom has been a prominent figure in California politics for over two decades, serving as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 2011 to 2019 and its Governor since 2019.

Newsom has a strong track record of progressive policy-making, having signed several landmark bills into law during his tenure as Governor, including a bill that requires California's utilities to source 60% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

He has also taken a bold stance on issues like climate change and healthcare, proposing a statewide single-payer healthcare system and investing in clean energy initiatives to reduce the state's carbon footprint.

Newsom has a strong grassroots following in California, having won re-election in 2018 with over 60% of the vote, a testament to his popularity among the state's progressive voters.

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Gavin Newsom has been dropping hints about his potential presidential bid, and it's getting harder to ignore the signs.

A poll released last month by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found that more than half of California voters believe Newsom is more focused on boosting his presidential prospects than governing the state and solving its problems.

Newsom's ability to expand his message beyond California could stir voters in the rest of the country to start seeing him as a potential leader, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

He commended Newsom for channeling the growing fear and anger over Trump's actions in his remarks, which Sabato believes may have changed the minds of some skeptics who regarded the governor as just "another pol with good hair gel."

Newsom didn't rule out a presidential bid when Dr. Phil asked him on his podcast last week, saying "You're not ruling anything out about your future either, so we'll leave it at that."

Newsom is starting a podcast where he'll talk to people with whom he disagrees, and his goal is to understand their motivations and legitimacy.

Newsom wants to run for president in 2028, and barring some sort of major roadblock, it's likely he will.

Newsom's family even joked about his presidential aspirations in his college yearbook, and though he previously denied any interest in running, he's now leaving the door open.

Newsom's political star exploded with his early handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and he's spent the years since burnishing his national profile.

Gavin Newsom has made it clear that he supports Kamala Harris and won't run against her in a presidential campaign. He's stood by his words from September, saying he wouldn't run against Harris.

Newsom's stance on not running against Harris is consistent, as he also said it in a September interview with Chuck Todd on NBC's "Meet the Press." He even reaffirmed it during a tour of swing states to campaign for the Democratic ticket.

Newsom believes Harris could beat Trump, saying "I have no doubt about that." He's been a supporter of Harris since before they both got into politics.

If Kamala Harris were to lose the election, it could lead to a wide open competition for Democrats, potentially paving the way for Newsom to run. But if Harris is elected president, it's hard to see Newsom challenging her within his own party.

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Newsom is already in campaign mode, with over half of California voters believing he's more focused on boosting his presidential prospects than governing the state.

A recent poll by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found that 51% of California voters think Newsom is more focused on his presidential prospects than solving the state's problems.

Newsom's ability to expand his message beyond California could make voters in the rest of the country see him as a potential leader.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, commended Newsom for channeling the growing fear and anger over Trump's actions, which may have changed the minds of some skeptics.

Newsom's message resonated with Dr. Phil on his podcast, where he didn't rule out running for president in 2028.

Newsom's national spotlight moment on CNN was a calculated move to elevate his fight to national significance and rally the public behind him to defend democracy.