Newsom says he'll run for president if Democrats win back the House

[dalton99a]

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/politics/article/gavin-newsom-california-sxsw-22016190.php

California Gov. Gavin Newsom drops presidential bombshell at SXSW in Texas
The California politician praised Texas Democrats' record turnout during the March primary season — and teased ahead to a major career decision.
By Kelsey Thompson
March 15, 2026

In a bombshell admission during the 2026 South by Southwest Conference & Festivals in Austin on Sunday, March 15, California Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped a Texas-sized gauntlet: If the Democratic Party can flip the House of Representatives during the November 2026 midterm election, he'll run for president in the November 2028 election.

The revelation came during an hour-long featured session and live podcast recording with Vivian Tu, host of the personal wealth and financing podcast Networth and Chill. During the Lone Star State appearance, Tu hosted a "first date" with the California politician as part of the podcast's format, discussing the governor's new book Young Man in a Hurry and his embattled pushback against President Donald Trump.

Regarding the latter, Newsom minced no words as he referred to Trump as an "invasive species" and a "jack*ss" and praised Texas Democrats' turnout in the March primary, which saw Austin-area powerhouse Rep. James Talarico cinch the Democratic U.S. senatorial nomination and substantive turnout from blue voters in key counties that previously voted for Trump.

"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. Nothing else matters," Newsom said when asked about a "second date" with his supporters at the November 2028 ballot box. "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 [Hakeem] Jeffries that gavel. If we can do that? Then you and I can go on a second date."

...

[SSJVegeta]

1. I will likely not be one of his primary election supporters.

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

4. Here here. People who thought it a good idea to

marry Kimberly Guilfoyle should not have their fingers anywhere near the nuclear trigger.

[SheltieLover]

26. Exactly!

[Ziggy Beans]

11. He would be really far down my list

And I don't even know who's running yet. He's the exact opposite kind of candidate the Democrats should be nominating right now

[FascismIsDeath]

2. Well, if Democrats win back the House, Newsom has a rightful claim to someone that did something to make it happen.

That is going to be especially true if its small margins but even if its huge margins, Newsom used his power as the governor of our biggest state to fight back against what Trump started with Texas and some other red states.

I have no preference for 2028 right now. I'm waiting to see what the field brings and what the overall vibe of the electorate will be at that time.

[Ponietz]

9. Same here, wait and see, but this moment in history really needs someone as radical as FDR

We need comprehensive reform. Nothing less will suffice.

[dweller]

3. 😖

don’t jinx it , gav




✌🏻

[JI7]

6. The only thing that matters is winning and Newsom has a good chance of it . Better than most Democats

And chances of winning have little to do with issues .

[DenaliDemocrat]

13. I disagree

He’s not winning the Midwest and probably not Georgia or North Carolina.

[wolfie001]

18. I remember when Clinton got booed off the stage with a boring speech at the Dem. Convention in 1988

Then he went on to win in 1992. His 8 years were a Golden Age except for his penchant for women. Just saying you never can tell what's gonna happen.
https://www.vox.com/2016/7/26/12285312/bill-clinton-dnc-1988-speaker-late-night

[Scrivener7]

7. I'm fine with that.

Politics is like getting on a public bus. None of them goes right to your door. You get on the one that gets closest.

[Roy Rolling]

8. well said

I’m gonna remember that.

[Quiet Em]

17. That's true. But I'm still going to look at other buses on the schedule

and not just jump on the first bus that stops.

[wolfie001]

19. Perfect is the enemy of good

Is the expression I'm going with concerning Newsome. His telling the Black audience basically, "I was a mediocre student just like y'all." I mean, really?

[Scrivener7]

24. Except he didn't actually say anything like that. Pieces of what he said were taken

out of context and cobbled together to create something that bore no resemblance to what he said.

[wolfie001]

40. It was a gaffe

I'd still vote for him, but his words on that day were clumsy. He's made some missteps. Having "Triple KKK" Charlie Kirk on his podcast was revolting. And then he told that POS he agreed with some of his views. Again, clumsy.
*The Quote: Newsom told the audience, "I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you I'm like you. I'm no better than you. I'm a 960 SAT guy... You've never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in".
Again, if he's our candidate, I'd vote for him. He'll be to the right of Obama/Biden though.

[DenaliDemocrat]

12. Please No

A California Democrat has zero chance of winning nationwide. How about Andy Beshar? Someone who can actually win.

[Bobstandard]

31. What has Andy Beshar said or done standing up to Trump?

[DenaliDemocrat]

32. Sigh...

A California Democrat is unelectable nation-wide. Andy Beshar is. I want a candidate who can win.

[Bobstandard]

33. Sigh. You just like Beshar, that's all. Got it.

[DenaliDemocrat]

35. No. I live out west

And everyone mocks California. The state does not play well. No one WANTS to be turned into California.

[Bobstandard]

39. Still no recommendations for Beshar.

Note that I was asking about a potential candidate you were touting. All you come up with is off topic opprobrium for California. Next time you get asked have answers. I’m sure there are good ones.

[Nanjeanne]

14. Hopefully there will be a robust primary season with good candidates so we can truly choose the

candidate that best represents the policies I support.

[tritsofme]

15. This might as well be his announcement then, there is a 0% chance Democrats fail to retake the House in November.

But he is smart to keep the focus on the midterms for now.

[Emile]

16. Chris Murphy is on the top of my list.

[wolfie001]

21. Yes

He'd be a fine candidate.

[CTyankee]

23. My senator and I love him, too. But CT is so small I wonder if a Senator from our state could be attractive to the rest

of the country. But it's early. Let's see where he goes from here.

[moonshinegnomie]

20. he's not my top choice but hes better than ANY rethug

im a mark kelley and jay pritzker fan

[poli-junkie]

37. Same, I like 'em both.

[pinkstarburst]

22. I'm voting for Pete Buttigieg

or Elizabeth Warren if they're in. But we could do worse than Newsom.

[bigtree]

25. I don't get the connection

,,,but whatever,

Win the Dem primary and you get my vote. Period.

He should be focused on that.

[sop]

27. Newsom's right: if Democrats don't (at least) take back the House in 2026, we will never have another free election.

[Jbraybarten]

29. and that's why the GOP is hellbent on preventing Democrats from winning

[Polybius]

28. Please run either way!

You have my vote!

[Sympthsical]

30. Man whose entire career is geared to run for President

Notes that someday he may run for President.

Truly the bombshell of our age.

I'm telling Democrats. He's great in interviews and everyone enjoys those neat social media managers he has, but as a governor where you've lived with him everyday in an actual governing role, he's a whole other thing.

It will be an interesting primary.

[Ranting Randy]

34. No! No! No! We need a Better Candidate!

[Xolodno]

36. Good thing DU doesn't decide these things.

We thought no chance in hell would Trump win, but here we are!

No one ever thinks that playing it safe may be the problem.

[Boo1]

38. This whole "electability" thing

is BS. In 2028 the only thing that a democrat will need to win is the Democratic Primary. There isn't a Republican who can win in 2028 and whoever they nominate is a sacrificial lamb.

The Republican is going to be wearing the yoke of Donald Trump and without his cult following. Anything he says that aligns with Trump will be campaign fotter for the Democrat, and anything he says that distances himself will be sacreligious to the cult.

This is going to be a 2008 type of election, just worse.