2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$117.2M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyLiberal Democrat
Age58 years old (Oct 10, 1967)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationSanta Clara University (B.S., Political Science, 1989)
Notable personal detailsGavin Christopher Newsom (born 1967-10-10) is an American politician and businessman who has served as the 40th Governor of California since 2019. He previously served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California (2011–2019) and as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco (2004–2011). Newsom is a graduate of Santa Clara University and is married to filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom; they have four children.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted revenue-raising measures and state investment in programs while opposing a state wealth tax; has backed business tax changes and refundable tax relief for households. Positions emphasize expanding social programs and economic development while resisting large one-off wealth taxes.
Healthcare
Supports expanding government-run coverage and access to care through Medi‑Cal expansions, prescription drug cost controls, and state health-investment initiatives while opposing Republican proposals that would cut coverage; pursues incremental, state-level expansions rather than advocating for single‑payer/Medicare for All. Newsom has used executive actions and budgets to expand Medi‑Cal eligibility, invest in behavioral and women’s health, and seek greater state bargaining power on drug prices.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protections for immigrant communities including DACA recipients and a congressional pathway to citizenship, while criticizing aggressive federal immigration raids and expanding state-level immigrant protections. Has backed state laws and proclamations that limit local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement and expand services for immigrants, but has also defended targeted cooperation with federal authorities in cases involving serious or violent offenders.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports broad legal access to abortion and measures to protect and expand reproductive-health services in California, including eliminating out-of-pocket costs, protecting medication abortion and patient privacy, and enacting laws shielding providers and patients from out-of-state prosecutions. Has signed multiple laws and proposed funding packages to strengthen abortion access and called for California to be a refuge for people seeking reproductive care from restrictive states.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including legally codified carbon neutrality by 2045, phasing out gasoline-powered passenger vehicle sales by 2035 and large reductions in fossil fuel consumption, and major clean-energy buildout (offshore wind, battery storage, ZEV deployment) with substantial state investment. Has extended and strengthened market mechanisms and regulatory measures (cap-and-trade/cap-and-invest, clean car/truck mandates) and advanced targets for 90%+ clean electricity by midcentury. Policy record includes executive orders, state plans, and legislation to reduce oil demand,支持
Public Safety & Guns
Gavin Newsom supports significant gun-safety measures including strengthening and expanding red flag laws, restricting ghost guns and certain semiautomatic weapons, raising regulatory and fiscal measures on firearms and ammunition, and backing stronger statewide and federal limits to reduce gun violence. As governor he has repeatedly signed packages of gun-control bills and called for federal action such as a renewed assault-weapons ban and universal background checks.
News
Gavin Newsom is drawing fresh attention as early 2028 Democratic presidential polling keeps him near the top of the field, though he is often trailing or tied with Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg in different surveys. He has also been publicly criticizing JD Vance and talking about what Democrats need to do to win in 2028, which has fueled speculation about his own national ambitions. At the same time, Newsom said Democrats are weighing contingency plans for California’s 2026 governor race under the state’s top-two primary system. He has also picked up some outside support, including an endorsement from Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings.
Marco Rubio surges, Pete Buttigieg pushes past Newsom in new 2028 presidential race poll
(VIDEO) Newsom Attacks JD Vance and Trump in Embarrassing Word Salad, Says JD Vance Doesn't Have What it Takes to Carry Trumpism - Trump Responds
Newsom Says There is Plan to Ensure Dems Move Forward in Gov. Race
Poll Shows AOC Leading Field of Potential 2028 Democrat Candidates
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising