1 month: Newsom's clock ticks down to a 2028 presidential call
The California governor told Turkish reporters he will make his final determination after spending the coming weeks with his family.
By Robert Ward ·
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on Thursday that he will decide whether to run for president by early January. The announcement resolves a period of speculation regarding his political future following the recent midterm elections. Newsom said he will spend the next few weeks with his family before making a final determination on a 2028 bid.
The governor made the remarks while attending the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey. He spoke to the Anadolu news agency, noting that he will leave his state office in January. This timeline places his decision shortly after he exits the governor's mansion, creating a narrow window for a potential campaign launch.
Newsom has been frequently mentioned as a contender for the Democratic nomination. Other names associated with a 2028 run include Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia. However, the potential entry of former Vice President Kamala Harris remains a complicating factor for Newsom's plans.
In a September interview with CNN, Newsom said he would not run if Harris entered the race. He told CNN anchor Jake Tapper, "If she runs, you will not." Newsom agreed, adding that he would not waste everyone's time by competing against her. He described a potential primary battle between the two as a scenario of mutual assured destruction for the party.
The governor outlined his timeline just over a week after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. Newsom described the election results as an historic rebuke of the current administration. He stated that the Democratic Party now has a duty to present a positive alternative agenda to Donald Trump.
Newsom expressed satisfaction with the midterm outcome. He said the presidency of Donald Trump, as it was known, ended last week. He emphasized that the new leadership must now govern and lead the party effectively. The next step in his political journey is a family discussion that will conclude before the end of the year.
