BREAKING: Gavin Newsom considers running for president in 2028

California Governor Gavin Newsom says he’s open to running for president in 2028 — but only after next year’s midterm elections.

In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS Sunday Morning, the California Democrat admitted he’s considering a bid once his time as governor ends. Asked if it would be fair to say he’d give a run for president “serious thought” after the 2026 elections, Newsom replied, “I’d be lying otherwise.” 

Newsom said he’s “looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment,” adding that it’ll ultimately be up to voters to decide the country’s next direction.

CBS asked, "Governor, you’ve said before that if you ever run for the White House, you’d need a compelling 'why.' Are you getting closer to figuring out your own reason?" To which Newsom replied, "Yeah, and Nietzsche said if you have a compelling why, you can endure any how. I think the biggest challenge for anyone running for office is that people can see right through you if you don’t have that why—if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Faith will determine that.

The interviewer responded, "You certainly seemed to like being on the ground in South Carolina. Seeing you up close, you were having a good time."

Newsom replied, "I happened to, and thank God, I’m in the right business. I love people. I actually love people."

The governor has been trying to boost his national profile this past year, often picking fights with President Donald Trump and copying some of his online tactics, using brash posts and memes to beg for attention.

He’s also made headlines for pushing to redraw California’s congressional maps, a plan that could give Democrats up to five new seats. That proposal, called Proposition 50, is on the ballot now, with results coming in early November.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.