While speaking in Austin, California Governor Gavin Newsom hinted that he might run for President of the United States if Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections.
Podcast host Vivian Tu was interviewing Newsom in a “first date” session on March 15 at the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals, according to MySA. When asked if voters could expect a “second date” in November 2028, he reportedly floated a potential run.
“It is the hard work that you did here in Texas in this primary where Democrats showed up in record [numbers]. Work that’s been done in 30 state races that we’ve flipped blue from red – the work that needs to be done between now and then to get Speaker Jeffries that gavel,” Newsom said. “If we can do that? Then you and I can go on a second date.”
Newsom has already cast doubt on the integrity of the 2028 election.
“I do not believe we will have a fair and free election as we know it in 2028, if we don’t take back the House of Representatives in 2026,” he said. “Nothing else matters.”
Newsom’s Flip on Election Integrity
Ironically, after Republicans questioned election integrity in the wake of the 2020 presidential run, Newsom condemned voter fraud concerns as “fantasy,” according to The Week.
“This election fraud stuff is a crock,” Newsom said in 2021. “This big lie, I mean, this insurrection — what the hell’s wrong with these folks? Grow up. Accept the results.”
Newsom Brands Trump an ‘Invasive Species’ While Californians ‘Invade’ the Lone Star State
During the event in Austin, Newsom called President Donald Trump a “jack*ss.” He also referred to the President as an “invasive species.”
More than 100,000 Californians have been moving to Texas every year, a 2025 report found, according to The Center Square.
From June 2024 to May 2025, another review found that more than 1.6 million adults moved to Texas, 14% of whom came from California. During that timeframe, more than double the number of Californians moved to Texas than moved from Texas to California.
