California Governor Gavin Newsom Kicks Off His 2028 Ambitions With Trip to First Primary State

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom is making campaign-style stops across South Carolina this week, fueling talk that he’s laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential run.

Key Facts:

  • Gov. Gavin Newsom is visiting South Carolina for two days, holding meet-and-greet events in eight locations.
  • The South Carolina Democratic Party is sponsoring the tour to reach voters in historically overlooked areas.
  • Newsom has previously traveled to early primary states like Nevada and New Hampshire.
  • The DNC will finalize its 2028 primary calendar by early 2027.
  • Newsom is widely seen as a likely candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

The Rest of The Story:

California Governor Gavin Newsom is back in South Carolina this week, taking part in a two-day tour across the state to meet with voters, answer questions, and shake hands.

The events are being hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party, which is working to connect national figures with communities that have been left behind in a GOP-dominated state.

The party promoted the trip under the banner “On The Road with Gavin Newsom,” promising opportunities for locals to be “heard and seen.”

Newsom is expected to make eight stops across small towns and rural areas, including cafes and churches.

According to state party chair Christale Spain, Newsom brings credibility as the leader of the “largest economy in America and the fourth largest in the world.”

She framed the visit as a contrast to what she calls “decades of Republican control” that have harmed local economies and families.

This isn’t Newsom’s first appearance in South Carolina.

He visited last year to campaign for Joe Biden during the primary season and also made similar stops in Nevada and New Hampshire.

All three states are lobbying for early positions in the 2028 Democratic primary calendar, which the DNC will finalize in the next two years.

While Newsom hasn’t made any announcements, his travel schedule and public engagement efforts are sparking speculation that he’s testing the waters for a future national campaign.

Commentary:

If Gavin Newsom wants to run for president, by all means, he should go for it.

But he’d better be ready to answer for the mess he left behind in California.

The state he governs has gone from being the Golden State to a disaster.

Crime is rampant, homelessness is out of control, businesses are fleeing, and basic infrastructure is crumbling.

Fire hydrants that don’t work are just the beginning.

California has become a national punchline, not a model to follow.

Newsom can charm donors and sip coffee with activists in swing states all he wants.

But outside of California’s liberal echo chambers, he’s going to be a tough sell.

Americans across the heartland and the South don’t want more of the same failed policies that have made life harder and more expensive.

If he thinks his national profile makes him a frontrunner, he might want to look in the mirror.

Newsom’s ambitions may be sky high, but the voters he’ll need in middle America aren’t likely to be impressed by slick talking points or social media buzz.

The Democratic bench is already crowded with candidates who have baggage. Newsom just might have the heaviest load.

His best shot at a legacy isn’t in the White House—it’s cleaning up the disaster unfolding under his watch back home.

So sure, run Gavin, run.

Just don’t be surprised when voters outside California take one look at your record and say, “No thanks.”

The Bottom Line:

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s two-day tour of South Carolina is more than a goodwill trip—it’s a strategic move that keeps his 2028 presidential hopes alive.

While he hasn’t declared a campaign, his out-of-state visits tell a story of national ambition.

But with California in crisis, Newsom may find it harder than he thinks to sell his leadership to the rest of America.

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