Governor Gavin Newsom has been a prominent figure in California’s political landscape since the late 1990s. He started as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1997 to 2004, then served as the Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. After his mayoral term, Newsom was elected as California’s Lieutenant Governor, a role he held for eight years until he assumed office as the state’s Governor in January 2019.

As his current term limits conclude, with the next gubernatorial election slated for 2026, speculation grows around potential successors, including former Vice President Kamala Harris as a possible contender. However, Newsom appears uninterested in the prevailing conjectures or endorsements. Instead, there are whispers that his aspirations stretch towards the highest political office—the presidency of the United States.

In reference to Newsom’s recent controversial speech amid the LA riots, my colleague Bob Hoge opined, “This wasn’t truly a California-focused address. Given his track record, he seems to show little interest in his own state—this was more like his initial move towards the 2028 presidential race. Understanding that his prospects are as volatile as a malfunctioning electric car in downtown Los Angeles, he attempted this speech in a desperate bid to salvage his political ambitions.”