Newsom Heads To Nevada, Kicks Off Midterm Campaign Swing With Eye On 2028

Gavin Newsom will kick off a national political swing this week to boost Democrats in the midterms — and lay more groundwork for his likely presidential campaign.

The first stop is Nevada, POLITICO has learned, a key state in the Democratic presidential primaries and a general election battleground. The three-day jaunt, much like his book tour earlier this year, serves the strategic purpose of burnishing his reputation as a party team player, while building relationships that could pay off in a future presidential bid. And it marks the start of a longer political push in advance of the November elections.

"Following the success of Prop 50, which gave Democrats a path to retake the House through California, Governor Newsom will campaign across California and the country to protect democracy and voting rights, elect Democrats, flip seats, and end Donald Trump’s unchecked power,” said Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom.

The California governor’s schedule, which starts on Thursday, includes appearing at a state party canvassing kickoff in Las Vegas and raising money for Aaron Ford, the Democratic state attorney general running in one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in the country. He’s also expected to meet with Democratic leaders in the state, including Rep. Steven Horsford.

Nevada has become a must-visit destination for possible presidential contenders. At least 18 would-be candidates from both parties, including fellow Californian and political rival Kamala Harris, have dropped into the state since March 2025, according to a tracker by the Nevada Independent. This week’s trip will mark Newsom’s third time in the state, making him the most frequent visitor after Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna.

Newsom’s tour will also include stops in the deep South, with a particular emphasis on districts where Black representation is imperiled after the Supreme Court’s recent ruling gutting the Voting Rights Act. It is unclear which states in the South he will visit. But Newsom has been a somewhat frequent visitor to the region; since 2023, he’s been to South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. The travel to places with significant shares of Black and Latino voters is not coincidental; the itinerary offers Newsom a chance to court crucial constituencies in a Democratic presidential primary.

He’ll also keep up the campaign activities in his home state, with plans for appearances and fundraising for five House races that became more favorable terrain for Democrats after the governor’s redistricting ballot measure last year.

A recent email sent to his formidable small-dollar donor list for three Democratic candidates who could flip red seats — Richard Pan, Randy Villegas and Marni von Wilpert — raised more than $120,000 in a single day, according to his political team. Overall, Newsom has raised more than $5.2 million for Democratic candidates and causes through his grassroots fundraising operation this cycle.

Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO’s California Playbook newsletter.