California Democrats Favor Newsom for 2028 Presidential Run
In a recent poll by Politico, California Governor Gavin Newsom is shown to be the preferred candidate among Democrats for the hypothetical 2028 presidential primary. This survey indicates that Newsom, a notable figure in California politics, garners more support than former Senator Kamala Harris, with a split of 25% to 19% among registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.
Political expert Jack Citlin from UC Berkeley commented on the findings, suggesting that many voters may feel inclined to support a candidate they perceive as actively running. This situation is developing, especially with Newsom’s increased media presence and potential efforts to shift California’s political landscape further in favor of Democrats.
In the survey, 75% of the registered Democrats expressed excitement about Newsom’s chances in the upcoming race, contrasting with Harris, who appears to be eliciting less enthusiasm among her supporters.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came in third with 13% support, according to the poll results.
Newsom has not outright denied his interest in the presidential race, though he has previously indicated that he was not “thinking of running.” Still, some see potential for him to take a step forward, particularly given his experiences and political maneuvers in California.
As for Harris, she distanced herself from a potential bid for California’s governorship in 2026, leading to speculation about her interest in the 2028 presidential race, particularly in light of her previous rivalry with Donald Trump during the 2024 elections.
The poll, conducted in both English and Spanish, included responses from 807 registered Democrats and Democratic-affiliated independents, with a margin of error of ±2.6%. Additional insights were gathered from a separate study involving 512 Politico Pro subscribers, which had a margin of error of ±3.7%.
Neither Governor Newsom nor Senator Harris’s offices had immediate responses to inquiries about the poll.
