California’s Governor Gavin Newsom is making waves! A recent national poll shows his support for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary has skyrocketed. Could this be the beginning of a major presidential run? He’s even been mirroring some unexpected political tactics. Get the full scoop on his rising popularity and what it means for the political landscape!
California Governor Gavin Newsom has seen a significant surge in support for a potential 2028 Democratic presidential primary bid, according to a recent national poll conducted by Emerson College. This dramatic increase over the summer positions Newsom as a leading contender, fueling widespread speculation about his ambitions for higher office as his final gubernatorial term approaches its end in 2026.
The latest Emerson national poll, released in August, reveals that Newsom now commands 25% support among Democratic presidential primary candidates. This figure represents a remarkable doubling of his backing since the June poll, where he garnered only 12%. Other notable Democrats trailing in the August 2025 survey include Pete Buttigieg with 16%, Kamala Harris at 11%, Josh Shapiro at 5%, and both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and JB Pritzker each receiving 4%.
Analyzing the demographic breakdown, Governor Newsom’s increased popularity is broad-based, indicating a strong appeal across diverse voter segments. Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College polling, highlighted a substantial 12-point increase among voters under 30, climbing from 6% to 18%. Similarly, his support among voters over 70 surged by 18 points, from 13% to 31%, and he saw a 14-point rise among both Black (9% to 23%) and White (10% to 24%) voters, underscoring a compelling cross-generational and racial appeal.
The August poll further explored hypothetical matchups, posing a direct contest between Newsom and current Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 election. The results indicated a tight race, with both candidates splitting the vote at 44%. This specific hypothetical scenario emphasizes Newsom’s growing national profile and his perceived viability against a prominent Republican figure, suggesting a potentially competitive future presidential landscape.
Beyond the poll numbers, Newsom has actively positioned himself on the national stage, often engaging in political maneuvers that draw parallels to former President Donald Trump. One such instance involved a significant ramping up of California’s law enforcement presence in major cities, closely mirroring a similar announcement made by President Trump regarding federal officers. While Newsom asserted his actions were not a direct response, the timing and style of the announcement, including a press conference held in his office reminiscent of Trump’s Oval Office settings, suggested a deliberate political strategy.
This tactical mirroring extends to public back-and-forths with Trump and other GOP leaders on contentious issues such as immigration and redistricting. Newsom’s campaign has even launched an online store featuring Trump-themed merchandise, further indicating a strategy to engage and, at times, provoke the former president and the Republican Party. He has openly spoken about “putting a mirror up to the lunacy that is Trump’s tweets and his grift,” framing his actions as a challenge to what he perceives as authoritarian tendencies.
Meanwhile, the governor’s efforts to redraw congressional lines in California have also garnered national attention, triggering a special election slated for November. The Emerson poll gauged public opinion on this specific issue, revealing that 56% of voters considered California’s congressional redistricting a “bad idea,” while 44% supported it. Comparatively, 54% viewed Texas’s redistricting negatively, with 46% in favor, highlighting a general public skepticism towards such political realignments.
Despite his increasing visibility and favorable poll numbers, Newsom has yet to officially confirm a presidential run. However, the consistent speculation, coupled with his strategic political moves and strong performance in early polling, clearly indicates a calculated trajectory towards a potential White House bid in 2028, keeping political analysts and voters keenly watching his next moves.
