Two prominent California Democrats have publicly acknowledged they are considering presidential campaigns in 2028, setting the stage for what could be a competitive primary battle for their party’s nomination.
Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters this weekend that he would be dishonest if he claimed otherwise when asked about giving serious thought to a 2028 presidential run following the 2026 midterm elections.
“Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom stated plainly. “And I’m not going to do that.”
The California governor, who has long been considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate, acknowledged uncertainty about his final decision while reflecting on his personal journey through the American political system. Newsom noted that academic challenges throughout his life, including a 960 SAT score and ongoing difficulties with reading scripts, have not prevented him from reaching the highest levels of state government.
“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,” Newsom said. “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.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris similarly indicated her continued political ambitions during an interview with a British news outlet that aired Saturday. Harris, who served as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and United States senator before becoming vice president in 2021, made clear that her career in public service continues.
“I am not done,” Harris stated. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it is in my bones.”
During the interview, Harris suggested that her grandnieces would witness the first female president within their lifetime, and when pressed, acknowledged she could “possibly” be that woman. She dismissed recent polling data that shows her as an outsider for the 2028 Democratic nomination, noting that throughout her career she has not made decisions based on survey results.
“If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office, and I certainly would not be sitting here,” Harris said.
Both politicians gained national attention during the unprecedented 2024 presidential race, which saw President Joe Biden withdraw from the campaign amid concerns about his mental fitness. Harris assumed the Democratic nomination in his absence but ultimately lost to President Donald Trump, who secured victories in all seven battleground states while winning both the popular vote and the Electoral College.
The early positioning by two of California’s most prominent Democratic figures suggests the 2028 primary contest may begin taking shape well before the traditional campaign season. Both Newsom and Harris bring significant political experience and name recognition to any potential campaign, though they would likely face a crowded field of candidates seeking to reclaim the White House for their party.
The question now facing Democratic voters is whether either of these California politicians represents the future direction of their party, or whether new leadership will emerge to meet the political moment ahead.
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