Gavin Newsom California

Incumbent Democratic Gubernatorial Races In 2026 And Potential Of Democratic Gubernatorial Presidential Nominee In 2028!

Ronald 5 Comments

Many Democratic Governors are seeking reelection, and are in good shape to win in November 2026.

This includes the following Incumbent Governors:

Arizona–Katie Hobbs
Connecticut–Ned Lamont
Hawaii–Josh Green
Illinois–JD Pritzker
Maryland–Wes Moore
Massachusetts–Maura Healey
New York–Kathy Hochul
Oregon–Tina Kotek
Pennsylvania–Josh Shapiro
Rhode Island–Dan McKee

Included in the above list are three Governors who are perceived as likely Presidential contenders for the Democratic Party in 2028—JD Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro.

Three “retiring” Democratic Governors are also seen as likely to be Presidential contenders:

California—Gavin Newsom
Colorado—Jared Polis
Michigan—Gretchen Whitmer

There certainly is no lack of qualified and competent Governors in the Democratic Party, and the odds that a sitting or former Governor might be the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2028 is quite high!

The Upcoming California Gubernatorial Race In 2026

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California, the largest state in population, with 39 million people, will have a new Governor elected in 2026, as two term Governor Gavin Newsom, is term limited, but will certainly be pursuing the Democratic nomination for President in 2028, with many early polls indicating he is the frontrunner at this point.

California has been a reliably Democratic state since the 1990s, so although Republicans will contest the election, the odds are very heavy against any opportunity for success.

There are a multitude of potential candidates in both parties, with the Republicans’ most likely choice seen as probably Steve Hilton, a political commentator for Fox News Channel, and who in the past, worked for the British government.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the losing Presidential nominee in 2024, decided NOT to seek the Governorship, and is still considering a Presidential campaign for 2028.

The Democrats have many potential candidates, but the two that stick out the most are former Congresswoman Katie Porter, former candidate for the US Senate in 2024, and Congressman Eric Swalwell, with Swalwell at this point in the lead in public opinion polls.

But Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, and former California Attorney General; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, cannot be ignored.

The view of this author and blogger is that Eric Swalwell would be the best, most electable Democrat, although before his entrance into the race, Katie Porter was seen as the frontrunner.

Kamala Harris Memoir Burns Bridges, Likely Insures End Of Political Career!

Ronald 2 Comments

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, by publishing a memoir with strong statements about many political leaders she has worked with, is likely burning her bridges, making it highly doubtful that she will ever again hold public office.

History records that once a Presidential nominee has lost election to the White House, the odds are extremely high that such individual will never be President.

There are only six cases of a defeated Presidential nominee going on to be elected President–three before the Civil War, once in the Gilded Age, once in the mid 20th century, and finally, Donald Trump.

Two of the cases–Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump– won the Presidency, then lost, and then returned, so unusual and special cases. In the case of Cleveland, he won in 1884, lost in 1888, and won in 1892. Trump won in 2016, lost in 2020, and won in 2024.

The three before the Civil War were Thomas Jefferson, who lost in 1796 and won in 1800; Andrew Jackson, who lost in 1824, and won in 1828; and William Henry Harrison, who lost in 1836 and won in 1840.

Finally, Richard Nixon lost in 1960, but then won in 1968 and 1972.

So the odds of Harris coming back are very low, but additionally, by being critical of Joe and Jill Biden and the Biden Staff, and stating her reasons for not selecting Josh Shapiro or Pete Buttigieg as her Vice Presidential running mate instead of Tim Walz, has caused controversy and a sense of anger by those individuals and others.

And it is generally well known that Kamala Harris was not an easy person to work for, losing staff regularly in the Senate and the Vice Presidency.

One gets the feeling from her appearance on Rachel Maddow, and on “The View”, that she does not seem to have the “fire in the belly” to compete in another strenuous Presidential campaign.

It would have been easier for Harris to have run for California Governor, with assurance of an easy victory, and a major role in the largest state’s impact in reaction to Donald Trump and the Republican Party, just like Gavin Newsom is now waging.

So it seems clear this is the end of any serious “comeback” by Kamala Harris to national politics.

Instead, she is on a major speaking tour to promote her book, and to spread the argument of strong opposition to the horrors of Donald Trump, but not a formal national or state role in that effort.

Democratic Governors Rich Mine For Presidency!

Ronald 9 Comments

It turns out that in the midst of the Trump Authoritarian Crisis the nation faces, that it is much more Democratic Governors than Democratic members of Congress who are actively on the attack against the abuses perpetrated by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and the utilization of the National Guard in Washington DC, Los Angeles, and threatened expansion to Chicago and other “Blue” cities and states.

In so doing, the following group of Governors are raising attention as leading potential Democratic Presidential contenders for 2028, including

Gavin Newsom of California
JD Pritzker of Illinois
Wes Moore of Maryland
Andy Beshear of Kentucky
Tim Walz of Minnesota
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania

In addition, other Democratic Governors, although not seen as likely Presidential contenders, are actively challenging the Trump policies including:

Kathy Hochul of New York
Ned Lamont of Connecticut
Jared Polis of Colorado
Katie Hobbs of Arizona
Maura Healey of Massachusetts
Phil Murphy of New Jersey
Josh Stein of North Carolina
Tony Evers of Wisconsin

Trump Threatening To Have Federal Government Seize Control Of Washington DC Government And NYC Government!

Ronald 13 Comments

For a President who promotes the idea of the states being responsible for many issues that governments must deal with, it is highly disturbing and alarming that he is threatening to have the federal government seize control of Washington, DC, taking away their local control of government that has existed since the 1970s.

Trump is also threatening that if Zohran Mamdani is elected NYC Mayor, that he might take measures to seize control of the government of the largest city in America.

And, already, with the National Guard in California controlled by Trump over the opposition of Governor Gavin Newsom to the mass deportation efforts continuing in Los Angeles, the nation is in a crisis of Trump grabbing power where he has no constitutional authority to do so.

Trump Calling Out Marines For Domestic Use, And Threatening Arrest Of Gavin Newsom Totally Beyond The Pale!

Ronald 7 Comments

President Donald Trump’s decision to call out the Marines for domestic use in Los Angeles to back up deportation raids, and his threat to arrest California Gavin Newsom, has escalated the crisis of Trump moving toward authoritarianism!

The possibility of the invoking of the Insurrection Act, when there is no rebellion or invasion, is horrifying, and moves America close to a true Fascist dictatorship, reminiscent in many ways to Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

And yet, millions of Americans seem content, as their racism, nativism, and lack of concern about anyone other than their selfish selves, is demonstrated for all to see.

The worship of money, and prejudice toward immigrants shows how sick and demented many Americans are, until the time comes, that they would become victims themselves.

When that horrifying moment occurs for many of these unprincipled, selfish people who only care about their financial bottom line, there will be no sympathy by those who have, vigorously, opposed Donald Trump and his evil supporters in the Republican Party, who are not patriots, but rather traitors to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the rule of law!

Trump Utilizing National Guard In Los Angeles, Defying Governor And Mayor, Highly Unusual!

Ronald 28 Comments

With immigration raids and arrests mounting all over the nation, but particularly in the major cities of Los Angeles and New York City, Donald Trump has taken the step of escalating his authoritarian impluses by deciding to utilize the National Guard in LA, against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. It is extremely unusual and rare to take such an action against the recomendations of state and local officials.

This is clearly seen as a move toward total crackdown on basic civil liberties, perpetrated by Thomas Homan, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and a host of other Trump appointees.

We have entered a “police state” situation, with great danger of massive violence and bloodshed, and it could spread quickly around the nation, and lead to the potential of civil war, a horrifying scenario!

There is no indication of massive violence, just of street protests, so this is a power grab by Trump and his government perpetrated to justify suspension of basic First Amendment rights.

It is not clear what can be done about the aggressive and abusive moves inititated by Donald Trump, so we are in a period of great mourning for our Constitution, rule of law, and American democracy!

California WildFire Cataclysm A Massive Tragedy For America!

Ronald 3 Comments

America is in an existential crisis as a result of the California Wildfire cataclysm that has done horrendous damage to our second largest city, Los Angeles!

It is a result of climate change and yet Republicans and Donald Trump choose to play politics, and clearly refuse to accept the reality of climate change.

Trump and the right wing would prefer instead to blame Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden and their perceptive environmental policies, and talk about DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) as a contributing factor, degrading women, racial minorities, and gay and transgender people as factors in the disaster, a totally preposterous assertion!

California is about ten percent of America, and has Republicans as well as Democrats, and there is an urgent crisis that requires massive intervention and assistance by the federal government to promote rebuilding for the massive destruction that has become the greatest urban and suburban disaster ever seen in American history.

If Trump and the Republicans play hardball and refuse to face reality, the nation will suffer from an economic downturn of major proportions, with massive suffering of untold experience, with the need to rebuild whole neighborhoods and communities, that have no infrastructure, and no schools, churches, businesses and everything else that makes a community prosper!

With everything else that people fear Donald Trump and the Republicans will do once the inauguration has occurred in 11 days, we are now faced with a catastrophe worsened by evil and hatred.

And this will also undermine our national security and foreign policy, if the worst intentions and motivations of Trump and his party are pursued without concern for their impact on all Americans!

A Multitude Of Qualified Democrats For 2028, As Party Assesses The Future!

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A week after the disturbing defeat of Kamala Harris, causing great distress and dismay among Democrats, including this author and blogger, it is important to learn from the disappointment and plan for the future.

The Democratic Party cannot move toward the center Right, if it means ever to offer a reasonable alternative.

However, that does not mean that it should adopt Bernie Sanders Left Wing type progressivism, which, despite what some say, would never be accepted by voters at large as an alternative in the future.

The party needs to continue to promote mainstream progressivism and liberalism, including labor rights, protection of the environment, and enforcement of basic civil rights for the growing Latino minority, African Americans, Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, and women, along with promotion of more voter education as to the details and effects of government policies.

The idea that Latino males, young people, and white women would think of Donald Trump as the better alternative is shocking, so therefore the need for greater voter education is essential.

And as the Democrats ponder their future, it is blessed with a multitude of qualified Presidential contenders!

This includes the following Governors:

Gavin Newsom, California
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Wes Moore, Maryland
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Andy Beshear, Kentucky
J D Pritzker, Illinois
Jared Polis, Colorado
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Josh Stein, North Carolina

Additionally, there are US Senators in the mix, including

Christoper Murphy, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Cory Booker, New Jersey

Also, present Transportation Secretary and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is rumored to be planning to run for Michigan Governor, to succeed Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited from running for reelection in 2026.

To assume that Donald Trump and his party will be able to keep public opinion on his side over the next four years is failing to realize that it is certain there will be a major negative reaction to the agenda that is now being imposed on America by aggressive and extreme Right wing forces!

Democrats must be optimistic and willing to work hard for the future of common decency and empathy as part of American principles!

Time For Reality: Joe Biden MUST Step Aside, And “Swing State” Governors Are Best Combination To Stop Trump! :(

admin 8 Comments

This author and blogger is shell shocked from the disastrous performance of Joe Biden last evening in his debate with Donald Trump.

Biden was clearly not well physically, having a cold and a raspy voice, but also, mentally, not “with it”, and sadly, as much as I have “loved” Biden and have been proud of him and his record, it is time for him to announce that he will not run for President.

However, the best alternative is NOT a Californian, such as Vice President Kamala Harris or California Governor Gavin Newsom, but rather two young “swing state” Governors!

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (age 51) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (age 53) is a perfect combination that can rally all Democratic groups of voters, and attract independents and sane Republicans who do not want Donald Trump back in the White House!

Much more analysis and discussion will occur, but the Democratic National Convention should unite around Shapiro and Whitmer as the best combination to defeat Donald Trump and his authoritarian Fascist threat to American democracy and rule of law!