Last month, Newsom acknowledged the possibility of a 2028 run in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, saying “I’m not thinking about running, but it’s a path that I could see unfold.” This week’s visit to South Carolina proves that he’s headed down that path. Could Newsom pull it off?

South Carolina, Iowa, and New Hampshire are the key early voting states that Republicans and Democrats are eyeing ahead of the 2028 election.

On Wednesday, protestors gathered outside of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s event in Pickens County. The governor launched a two-day tour of South Carolina, calling on voters across rural areas — some tucked in GOP strongholds — to exercise their “moral authority” in standing up to President Donald Trump and Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

Term-limited California Gov. Gavin Newsom tours South Carolina for meet and greets at cafes and churches, building relationships in a key early primary state amid 2028 speculation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a two-day tour of South Carolina Tuesday, calling on voters across rural areas — some tucked in Republican strongholds — to exercise their “moral authority” in standing up to President Donald Trump and Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

Gavin Newsom is the narrow frontrunner to win the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, ahead of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg and Josh Shapiro, according to betting sites.