Gavin Newsom says he will give 'serious thought' to White House run after 2026 elections

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: California Gov Gavin Newsom, one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal Democratic critics, has said that he will give "serious thought" to a run for the White House but only after the 2026 midterm elections.

In an exclusive interview with CBS News's 'Sunday Morning', taped on Thursday, October 23, Newsom acknowledged that he’s open to exploring a 2028 presidential campaign once his gubernatorial term ends in early 2027.

“Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom said when asked if he would give serious thought to a run.

“I'd just be lying. And I'm not — I can't do that,” he added.

Newsom’s visit to early primary states fuels speculation

The 58-year-old Democrat has already visited key battlegrounds, including South Carolina, which is currently set to host the first Democratic primary in 2028. 

During his trip there in July, Newsom met with local party leaders and chatted with voters in coffee shops. 

“I love people. I actually love people,” Newsom said, describing his comfort on the campaign trail.

He also reflected on his own journey, recalling his struggles with dyslexia and poor test scores.

"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," he said.

Still, he emphasized that any decision regarding running in the 2028 presidential race remains far off.

“Fate will determine that,” he said.

Focus shifts to California’s Proposition 50 fight

For now, Newsom insists his focus remains squarely on California’s 'Proposition 50', a controversial ballot measure that would temporarily allow Democrats to redraw congressional maps.

Newsom has framed it as a fight for democracy in response to Republican-controlled states adjusting their own districts to maintain their House advantage.

“It's about the future of this republic. I think it's about, you know, what the Founding Fathers lived and died for, this notion of the rule of law, and not the rule of Don,” Newsom said in a pointed jab at Trump.

Tensions have risen ahead of the November 4 special election, with both parties seeing redistricting as crucial to controlling the US House.

Newsom warned that the alleged increased federal presence in California, including ICE and Border Patrol agents, could intimidate voters.

“These guys are not screwing around,” he said.

Newsom’s close ties with Biden and Obama

Newsom’s national profile grew last year when he emerged as one of former President Joe Biden’s fiercest defenders after the president’s faltering debate against Trump.

He repeatedly insisted there was “no daylight” between him and Biden, campaigning for him across several states before Biden exited the 2024 race.

Since Biden’s departure, Newsom has maintained close contact with both Biden and former President Barack Obama, the latter even joining Newsom on a video call last week to rally volunteers for Proposition 50.

As for a potential presidential bid, Newsom said he’s content to let time and destiny decide.

“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 concluded.