California Governor Gavin Newsom recently opened up about why he might not pursue a presidential bid, despite frequently being mentioned as a top contender for the Democratic Party in 2028. In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with host Dana Bash, Newsom expressed that his family harbors reservations about such a move. When asked about his family’s stance on a potential run, Newsom candidly replied, “It depends on the day.” He recounted a moment when one of his sons sent him a text message about a headline speculating his presidential ambitions and questioned its veracity. Newsom assured his son that any decision would involve family discussions, to which his son responded, “You can’t. I’m too young… You need to spend more time with us.” Newsom humorously admitted to Bash, “I’m busted.”

Newsom is meticulously cultivating an image as an all-American family man, dedicated to his role as a husband and father of four. His appearance on CNN coincides with the release of his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” scheduled for Tuesday. Last year, he ventured into podcasting, inviting guests with starkly opposing political views, such as former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and the late conservative youth activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed last September.

The governor has also positioned himself as a prominent figure in the resistance against former President Trump, often sparring with the Trump administration on various political and policy issues. Among his notable achievements is Proposition 50, a measure that transferred the authority to redraw California’s electoral map from the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission to the state legislature, which is currently under Democratic control. This move is part of Newsom’s broader strategy to assert influence within the state and on the national stage.

The move was made to reallocate the state’s congressional seats to leave fewer in the GOP’s column, a direct attack on the Republican House Majority and Trump’s ability to govern in Washington. Newsom has also taken actions to resist the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures, limiting the degree to which California law enforcement complies with federal ICE agents, and calling them a terrorist group.

During last year’s government shutdown, Newsom made $80 million in SNAP funds available to food banks in his state during a pause in federal funds, and he also sent the National Guard to help run them. However, some locations have rejected the troops’ help. The Trump Administration has noted at the time that states that choose to spend money on their food programs will not be reimbursed for their actions.