California Gov. Newsom Leads 2028 Democratic Primary Polls

California Governor Gavin Newsom has emerged as the leading contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, surpassing former Vice President Kamala Harris in recent polls. Newsom's rising popularity is attributed to his aggressive political tactics, including his vocal criticism of President Trump and efforts to counter Republican redistricting strategies. Multiple surveys show Newsom gaining significant support, particularly among Generation X, men, white voters, and Black voters, with enthusiasm for his candidacy outpacing Harris. Newsom has also taken steps typical of a presidential candidate, such as establishing fundraising committees and engaging with key battleground states. While Newsom leads in early Democratic primary polling and outpolls Trump in hypothetical general election matchups, experts caution that these early results are not predictive of the eventual outcome. Other Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg, and governors Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore are also discussed as notable figures within the party, though Newsom currently holds the most momentum.