The 2028 presidential election is still years away, but one name is rapidly rising above the rest in Democratic circles: California Gov. Gavin Newsom. In a widely discussed Saturday column, Politico senior political writer Jonathan Martin declared that Newsom has quietly — and sometimes loudly — positioned himself as the Democratic Party’s early favorite to reclaim the White House after the Trump presidency.

“No Democrat has had a better two years than Gavin Newsom,” Martin wrote, arguing that the governor has used the past 24 months to build a unique coalition, sharpen his national brand, and set himself up as a natural successor for the party at a moment of dramatic political realignment.

For a governor who first became a national figure at age 36, Newsom’s trajectory has been anything but accidental. And according to Martin’s analysis, every part of his signature style — from his youth-focused messaging to his centrist instincts to his social-media savvy — has converged to place him directly at the center of the Democratic Party’s future.

Below, we break down why Politico now sees Newsom as the Democrats’ best-positioned candidate for 2028 — and how he got there.

A Two-Year Run That Reframed His National Image

According to Martin, Newsom’s past two years have transformed him from a well-known California liberal into something more: a Democratic leader capable of appealing to moderates, progressives, young voters, and anti-Trump activists simultaneously.

Newsom’s heightened visibility, frequent national interviews, and strategic travel have helped him cultivate a national identity far beyond his home state. Martin argues that Newsom’s political instincts — honed over decades in public office — helped him sense early that Democrats needed a more dynamic, culturally attuned figure to carry the messaging battle into an era where image, communication style, and digital reach matter as much as policy.

And the columnist says the governor has delivered exactly that.

The Old Rules: Youth, Freshness, and Insider Credibility

Martin points out that by traditional Democratic standards, Newsom fits the mold of several past nominees who energized the party:

Jimmy Carter (1976)

Bill Clinton (1992)

Barack Obama (2008)

Each represented a younger, outsider-leaning figure who promised to challenge Washington’s status quo while maintaining enough insider familiarity to reassure party leaders.

Newsom, Martin argues, is cut from the same cloth.

At 58 in 2028, he would be notably younger than many recent contenders. His record includes years of governance, national advocacy on issues like climate and gun safety, and a reputation for policy-driven leadership. But he also maintains the outsider energy Democrats tend to favor in presidential primaries — something that could prove essential as the country emerges from another Trump administration.

The New Rules: Fame, Social Reach, and Digital Fluency

What really sets Newsom apart, Martin writes, is that he also matches the “new rules” of American politics — the ones defined not by policy white papers but by the power to command attention, cut through the digital noise, and engage younger audiences.

In this sense, Newsom may be the most naturally modern candidate in the Democratic field:

He is comfortable on camera.

He understands short-form media.

He communicates in crisp, pointed sound bites.

He leans into confrontational moments with confidence.

He knows how to mobilize younger voters who consume politics through videos, clips, and comment threads instead of speeches and op-eds.

Martin says Newsom’s ability to flourish within this ecosystem — rather than merely tolerate it — gives him a significant edge heading into 2028.

A Centrist Vision in a Divided Party

One of the most striking claims in Martin’s piece is that Newsom isn’t squarely aligned with any Democratic faction — and that this may be his greatest asset.

The governor himself told Martin, “I want it to be the Manchin to Mamdani party. I want it to be inclusive.”

Those two names represent opposite poles of Democratic ideology:

Joe Manchin: centrist, moderate, coal-state pragmatism

Zohran Mamdani: urban, progressive, left-wing activism

Newsom’s effort to unite those worlds, Martin argues, portrays him as a consensus-builder at a time when infighting has weakened the party’s unity.

Rather than lean fully left or fully centrist, Newsom has positioned himself as the bridge — someone who respects ideological diversity and embodies a broader tent philosophy that could appeal to voters craving stability and competency.

The Trump Factor: Conflict That Elevated His Profile

Another major reason Politico lists Newsom as the frontrunner is something outside the governor’s control: President Donald Trump.

Martin writes that Newsom’s sharp, highly visible clashes with Trump have inadvertently elevated him into the national spotlight.

One major flashpoint occurred early in 2025, when Trump criticized California’s wildfire response. Newsom fired back publicly — and the White House escalated tensions by sending the National Guard and active-duty Marines into Los Angeles during the summer.

Rather than shrink from the confrontation, Newsom embraced it. The resulting media attention, according to Martin, only expanded his public recognition and hardened his appeal among Democrats seeking a forceful counterweight to the president.

The Redistricting Fight: A Turning Point

Following the wildfire confrontation, Newsom also clashed with Trump over redistricting, an issue with enormous political stakes for both major parties. Martin credits Newsom’s involvement in that showdown as a key moment that positioned him as an early leader for 2028.

It signaled three things:

He was willing to stand up to Trump on core democratic principles.

He could defend party interests on the national stage.

He was prepared to fight aggressively for structural issues that shape elections for a decade.

These battles, Martin says, put Newsom in the national spotlight in a way few governors ever achieve.

Connecting With Younger Voters

The Politico analysis also highlights Newsom’s effectiveness with younger generations — a demographic that will be crucial in 2028.

Martin writes that Newsom’s comfort with new platforms, casual communication styles, and bold messaging makes him far more relatable to younger voters than the traditional slate of Democratic candidates.

Rather than relying solely on policy proposals, Newsom often communicates through:

Humor

Short, sharp commentary

Cultural references

Brief video clips

Expressive, concise messaging

This has earned him credibility with voters under 35, who increasingly expect political figures to speak in modern formats, not standard political jargon.

Why Democrats May Lean Toward Him in 2028

According to Martin, Newsom’s strengths line up almost perfectly with what the Democratic coalition will likely need four years from now:

A candidate young enough to reset the party’s generational clock

A proven executive with real governing experience

A unifying figure who can bridge internal divides

A skilled communicator able to punch back in a fast-paced digital environment

A politician unafraid to confront Trump directly

A national figure who has already built recognition beyond his state

This combination, the columnist argues, is why Newsom now holds the “front-runner” title — even without officially entering the race.

Newsom’s Path Forward: Momentum, Visibility, and Caution

Though Politico’s projection may boost his profile, Newsom has repeatedly stressed that he is focused on governing California, not planning a 2028 run. But those close to him believe that if the opportunity arrives — and if he decides the moment is right — he is perfectly positioned to launch a national campaign.

With the Trump administration redefining federal-state conflicts, and with the next Democratic primary already beginning to quietly take shape, Newsom finds himself at the center of an evolving political landscape.

Whether he capitalizes on this moment remains to be seen. But one thing is clear:

Gavin Newsom is no longer just a California figure.
He is now a major national contender — and perhaps the Democrats’ best bet for 2028.