Newsom Eyes 2028 Run, Prop 50 Controversy

California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBS News he will seriously consider a 2028 presidential bid after the 2026 midterms, saying he would be “lying” if he claimed otherwise and that his decision will depend on political developments as his gubernatorial term ends in January 2027. He has raised his national profile through travel to early-primary states such as South Carolina, a podcast, confrontational social media, and legal challenges — including suing over federal troop deployments — and prediction markets have recently increased his 2028 odds. Newsom is the chief backer of Proposition 50, a controversial measure that would allow mid-decade congressional redistricting and has drawn Republican complaints of gerrymandering and broader concerns about voting integrity and mail-in ballot security. Vice President Kamala Harris has also signaled she is “not done” with national politics and could mount a 2028 run, raising the prospect of a competitive Democratic field. Polling shows Newsom has solid support among many California Democrats but uneven enthusiasm among independents and broader voters, and critics say he may be prioritizing national ambitions over his state duties.