(DDM) — California Governor Gavin Newsom has reignited speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run, suggesting in a new interview that while he has thought about the idea, he fears the U.S. might not even have a “free and fair” election by then.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Democratic governor made the comments during a wide-ranging CNN interview on “The Story Is with Elex Michaelson,” where he discussed his political future, the changing landscape of American democracy, and his concerns about the country’s direction under rising political extremism.
“People talk about it and you’d be lying if you haven’t thought about it,” Newsom said. “But quite literally, that’s why I have this initiative, Prop 50, there might not be a 2028 election that’s free and fair.”
Newsom, who is term-limited and set to leave office in January 2027, has long deflected questions about running for the White House.
For years, he claimed to have “sub-zero interest” in a presidential campaign, even as his national visibility grew through policy initiatives, political advocacy, and high-profile debates with conservative figures.
However, in his latest remarks, Newsom admitted that his perspective had shifted. “Everything has changed in terms of my mindset, my focus, my energy, my perspective on the world we’re living in,” he said, citing recent events such as the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles and other cities as examples of what he called “radically different” governance norms.
Political observers told DDM that Newsom’s comments mark his clearest signal yet that he is open to a future White House run, despite his previous denials.
His growing influence within Democratic circles and frequent national appearances, including visits to key swing states and televised policy debates, have positioned him as one of the party’s most visible next-generation leaders.
Still, Newsom’s warning about the potential erosion of democratic institutions adds a layer of urgency and anxiety to his political message. Analysts suggest his rhetoric reflects broader Democratic fears about election integrity, particularly in the wake of heightened voter suppression battles and partisan tensions across the country.
A former San Francisco mayor and lieutenant governor, Newsom has built his career on progressive social policies, climate action, and gun control reforms. Yet, critics argue that his administration has struggled with California’s homelessness crisis, rising cost of living, and population outflows, issues that could complicate any presidential ambition.
DDM notes that the California governor’s “Prop 50” initiative, which he referenced during the interview, is part of a larger campaign to strengthen electoral safeguards, expand access to voting, and prevent political interference in future elections.
“Everything has changed,” Newsom repeated during the interview. “We’re not just dealing with marginal shifts, this is something radically different.”
While Newsom stopped short of confirming a 2028 bid, his evolving tone and increased national outreach suggest that the former skeptic of presidential politics is now testing the waters, and warning that democracy itself could be at stake.
