California Governor Gavin Newsom has came up as a clear front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, showing strong performance in multiple polls against potential Republican candidates. Recent surveys indicate that Newsom has built significant momentum over the summer, with his support among Democratic primary voters surging across multiple polling organizations.
The latest Leger poll found Newsom leading Trump by four percentage points in a hypothetical 2028 matchup, with 48 percent support compared to Trump’s 44 percent. Against Vice President JD Vance, Newsom maintains a narrow one-point lead at 47 percent to 46 percent. The California governor also outperformed Secretary of State Marco Rubio by five points in the same survey.
According to Newsweek, President Trump has been dismissive of Newsom’s rising political profile, telling reporters in June that “he’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows.” This criticism comes despite Trump being constitutionally prohibited from running for a third term in 2028, though he has been included in some potential polls of the election.
Newsom’s polling surge gains national attention
Newsom’s support in Democratic primary polls has experienced dramatic growth over recent months. An Emerson College poll showed his backing increased from 12 percent in June to 25 percent in August among potential 2028 Democratic candidates. This represents a 13-point surge that spans across key demographic groups, including significant gains among voters under 30 and over 70.
The governor has capitalized on high-profile battles with the Trump administration, particularly over California’s redistricting efforts designed to counter Republican gerrymandering in Texas. Newsom signed the Election Rigging Response Act in August, which will allow California voters to decide on new congressional maps in a November special election. This move could potentially eliminate five Republican-held House seats in the state.
Newsom’s aggressive social media strategy has also drawn attention, with his press office adopting Trump-style posting tactics, including all-caps messages and political mocking. While this approach has energized some Democratic voters, polling shows that only 33 percent of respondents approve of this strategy, with 43 percent disapproving. Political strategist Mike Madrid noted that “Democrats are looking for a fighter” and that “the more aggressive Newsom gets, the more support he builds.”
Despite Trump’s constitutional inability to seek another term, speculation continues about potential attempts to circumvent the 22nd Amendment. However, such efforts would face enormous legal and political hurdles, making them highly unlikely to succeed. Meanwhile, Newsom’s political activities, including visits to early primary states like South Carolina and his national fundraising efforts, suggest serious preparation for a presidential campaign that candidates typically announce after midterm elections in 2026.
Published: Sep 5, 2025 02:26 pm