California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is once again trying to thread a political needle, only this time, he may be tying himself in knots.
Asked directly this week whether he would back a candidate in the state’s gubernatorial race, the outgoing governor, who is widely expected to run for president in 2028, sidestepped with a carefully worded but muddled response: “I’m supporting a Democrat in the runoff and look forward to the voters making that decision very shortly … There are a lot of outstanding candidates with extraordinary records. I could name seven of them, although I think there were nine.”
The remark raises more questions than it answers. By broadly praising nearly the entire field, Newsom appears intent on avoiding alienating any faction—but risks projecting reluctance, or even an inability, to shape the race he will leave behind.
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez during
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