California Gov. Gavin Newsom promoted his more than 2,000-mile jaunt from California to South Carolina as a bid to help the party win back the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, but most people there saw it as a precursor to a 2028 presidential run.

California GovernorGavin Newsom kicked off a two-day tour in South Carolina, connecting with voters in both rural areas and Republican strongholds as he signals a potential presidential run in 2028. During this whirlwind visit,

Gavin Newsom on Tuesday launched a two-day tour of South Carolina, calling on voters across rural areas — some tucked in GOP strongholds — to exercise their “moral authority” in standing up to President Donald Trump and Republicans in next year's midterm elections.