California Gov. Gavin Newsom might have recently said he has no interest in challenging Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination; however, he has risen in prominence nationally in recent months. Many are saying he could either become a substitute for Biden should he reconsider his decision to seek a second term or a major contender for the Democratic nomination in 2028.

Newsom’s presence at the Republican primary debate back in September reminds him of his rising importance among Democrats. He attended the debate as an attack dog for Joe Biden, taking on Fox News host Sean Hannity.

“This is maybe a vice presidential debate. These guys are getting lapped by Donald Trump. It’s not even close. It’s not even interesting,” Newsom said before the debate according to the Los Angeles Times. “I enjoy defending our values and freedom. I enjoy defending democracy. I enjoy exposing the hypocrisy of the other side, that claims freedom and yet they’re denying young women the right to reproductive care.”

He noted that the candidates have done little to make headway against former President Donald Trump. Gavin Newsom has adopted a pugilistic strategy against Republicans and has appeared on Fox News, unlike other Democrats.

Gavin Newsom Reinvents His Image

He has managed to reinvent himself from being an unpopular governor who narrowly survived a recall election two years ago and who has been panned for his handling of California’s homelessness crisis into a major force.

“It works to their mutual benefit,” said John Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College. “Biden takes a potential party critic and turns him into an ally, and Newsom gets abundant national exposure. So it’s a win-win.”

Newsom has worked closely with Biden’s team to stay on message including before his appearance on Hannity’s program in June. Biden put Newsom on his team of campaign surrogates to argue on his behalf on national television. 

Newsom even went toe to tow with Ron DeSantis on Fox News just a few months ago. 

“At this point, Biden is looking to cozy up to just about any prominent Democrat who will go on the record lavishly praising him, including Newsom. In terms of the electoral math, Newsom doesn’t offer much to Biden given his already mortal lock on progressive California. However, what he does offer is much-needed pushback to a growing chorus of leaders in the Democrat party who seem to be expressing more reservations about…Biden’s bid for the White House,” Thomas Gift, an associate professor who leads the Centre on U.S. Politics at King’s College London, told Newsweek. “One wouldn’t be surprised if, in exchange, Newsom were offered a high-profile spot at the nominating convention or some other pat-me-on-the-back gift, which could help tee up his likely 2028 run.”

About the Author 

John Rossomando is a defense and counterterrorism analyst and served as Senior Analyst for Counterterrorism at The Investigative Project on Terrorism for eight years. His work has been featured in numerous publications such as The American Thinker, The National Interest, National Review Online, Daily Wire, Red Alert Politics, CNSNews.com, The Daily Caller, Human Events, Newsmax, The American Spectator, TownHall.com, and Crisis Magazine. He also served as senior managing editor of The Bulletin, a 100,000-circulation daily newspaper in Philadelphia, and received the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors first-place award for his reporting.

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