But one thing is clear: With the defeat of Harris, Newsom is all but certain to run for president in 2028, political insiders say.
“It was a very good night for Gavin Newsom,” said Bill Whalen, a fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and former speechwriter for Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. “He’ll never tell you that, but look, now suddenly, the road to 2028 is open again.”