California’s political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as two of its most prominent figures, Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, openly consider bids for the White House in 2028. Their recent statements, aired over the weekend of October 25-26, 2025, have set off a flurry of speculation and analysis within Democratic circles and beyond, hinting at a potentially historic primary showdown between two leaders who have shaped the Golden State’s—and the nation’s—political direction for years.
On October 26, 2025, Governor Newsom, 58, made his intentions clearer than ever during an interview on CBS News Sunday Morning. When pressed by correspondent Robert Costa on whether he would give a presidential run “serious thought” after the 2026 midterm elections, Newsom replied candidly, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not—I can’t do that.” He added, “I’m looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that’s the question for the American people.” According to Axios and The Desert Sun, Newsom’s remarks represent his most direct acknowledgment yet of ambitions long whispered about in Democratic circles.
Newsom, who cannot seek reelection as governor due to term limits ending in January 2027, has spent much of his second term raising his national profile. He’s done so by positioning himself as a leading critic of President Donald Trump, engaging in high-profile disputes over immigration, redistricting, and the deployment of National Guard troops. In the CBS interview, Newsom didn’t mince words about Trump, describing him as an “invasive species” and a “wrecking ball. Not just the symbolism and substance of the East Wing. He’s wrecking alliances, truth, trust, tradition, institutions.”
His combative style isn’t limited to policy disputes. Newsom has taken to social media—particularly X, formerly known as Twitter—to parody Trump’s signature all-caps posts, memes, and even AI-generated art. This trolling has become a hallmark of his communications strategy, as reported by TIME and Los Angeles Times. At the same time, Newsom has attempted to broaden his appeal beyond the Democratic base. Earlier in 2025, he launched a podcast aiming to brand himself as a centrist, featuring conversations with figures across the political spectrum, from conservative influencer Charlie Kirk (before Kirk’s tragic assassination) to former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Polls suggest that Newsom’s efforts are resonating with Democratic voters. A Yahoo/YouGov poll released in September 2025 placed him as the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nomination, with 21% support among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters. Former Vice President Kamala Harris followed with 19%, and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez trailed at 12%.
Harris, for her part, has also begun to signal her openness to another presidential run. In an interview with the BBC released on October 25-26, 2025, she said she was “not done” and, when asked if she could be president one day, responded, “Possibly.” Harris, who served as vice president under President Biden and became the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has been on a national tour promoting her new memoir, “107 Days.” She’s recounted the whirlwind of the 2024 campaign and her reflections on the party’s future, sometimes calling out fellow Democrats—including Newsom—for their actions during that tumultuous period.
The prospect of a Newsom-Harris faceoff is especially intriguing given their parallel but non-intersecting political careers. Both rose through the ranks of San Francisco and California politics, but they have never competed directly for the same office. As Axios points out, the 2028 Democratic primary could be the arena where these two California heavyweights finally collide, setting the stage for a generational contest that could redefine the party’s direction.
Newsom’s potential candidacy is intertwined with the outcome of Proposition 50, a California ballot measure he has championed. The measure, which will be decided by voters on November 4, 2025, proposes redrawing congressional district maps to benefit Democrats—a direct response to similar efforts by Republicans in Texas. “I think it’s about our democracy,” Newsom said in his CBS interview. “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.” If Proposition 50 passes, it could bolster Democratic prospects in future House races and, by extension, the 2028 presidential contest.
Yet, both Newsom and Harris face significant challenges on the national stage. Critics argue that California’s reputation for progressive policies, high taxes, and economic inequality could be a liability in key battleground states. As Los Angeles Times notes, California recently tied with Louisiana for the nation’s highest poverty rate, and issues like housing affordability and homelessness remain persistent problems. Richard Harpootlian, a South Carolina Democrat, summed up skepticism about Newsom’s appeal outside California: “If he had a track record of solving huge problems like homelessness, or the social safety net, he’d be a more palatable candidate. I just think he’s going to have a tough time explaining why there’s so many failures in California.”
Political scientist Thad Kousser of UC San Diego observed, “This is Gavin Newsom finally saying out loud what everyone’s been whispering for years. He has obvious presidential ambitions and now he’s ready to own them.” Kousser also suggested that Harris’s public signaling may have prompted Newsom to clarify his own intentions, lest he be “boxed out” by another high-profile Californian.
Despite their shared roots, Newsom and Harris have cultivated distinct political brands. Newsom, born into a prominent San Francisco family and open about his struggles with dyslexia and academic challenges, presents himself as a self-made leader who has overcome adversity. “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. Who the hell knows?” he told CBS. Harris, the daughter of immigrants and former San Francisco district attorney, has faced criticism for being out of touch with working-class voters after her 2024 defeat but remains a symbol of resilience and historic firsts.
As early as this year, Newsom has been making strategic visits to battleground states like South Carolina, a move widely interpreted as laying groundwork for a national campaign. He insists these trips are about helping Democrats win back the House, but the political subtext is hard to miss. Meanwhile, Harris’s memoir tour and public reflections on her 2024 campaign keep her firmly in the national spotlight.
The 2028 Democratic primary is shaping up to be the most open and competitive in a generation, with multiple candidates expected to declare even before the 2026 midterms. As Axios and TIME report, both Newsom and Harris’s early moves signal that California’s influence on the national stage is only growing, and the coming years promise a dramatic contest for the party’s future and the country’s highest office.
With the next presidential election still three years away, the field remains wide open, but the ambitions of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris have already set the stage for a high-stakes battle that could reshape American politics for years to come.
