Newsom departed California on Monday for a two-day tour of South Carolina. Though he hasn’t given any explicit indications of his broader ambitions, his tour of the critical Democratic primary state has many viewing the trip as an early 2028 campaign stop. Clyburn, a major Democratic kingmaker, didn’t help by accidentally hinting that the governor had his eyes on the White House.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) speaks to a crowd gathered at an event space during a two-day swing through South Carolina on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Bennettsville, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
“As we go around welcoming these candidates that are running for president…” Clyburn said, gesturing to Newsom before catching himself.
Newsom responded with a laugh.
The Democratic kingmaker also described Newsom as
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