Newsom to Visit South Carolina Next Week Amid 2028 Presidential Speculation
SOUTH CAROLINA — California Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to visit South Carolina next week as part of a two-day tour that’s sparking renewed speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid.
Dubbed “On the Road With Governor Gavin Newsom,” the tour will bring the Democratic governor to several rural counties, including Florence, Marion, Chesterfield, Kershaw, Oconee, Pickens, and Laurens, according to the South Carolina Democratic Party.
The visit is set for Tuesday and Wednesday and is being framed by Democratic leaders as a show of support for neglected communities and an effort to build grassroots partnerships.
“He’s coming to meet folks in towns that have been hollowed out by decades of Republican control,” said state Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, in a statement to The Hill. “This is about building partnerships, uplifting communities, and showing rural voters they aren’t forgotten.”
Trip Adds Fuel to 2028 Buzz
Though Newsom has not announced any intention to run, he has frequently been mentioned as a leading contender for the Democratic nomination in 2028. His profile has continued to rise due to his confrontations with former President Donald Trump, particularly over immigration policy and recent protests in Los Angeles.
He previously traveled to South Carolina in early 2024 to campaign for President Joe Biden during his reelection bid.
The Palmetto State gained additional political prominence after the Democratic National Committee voted in 2022 to make South Carolina the first primary state in the Democratic presidential nominating calendar beginning with the 2024 election cycle.
Focus on Rural Strategy
Newsom’s team and South Carolina Democrats emphasized that the trip is less about national headlines and more about rebuilding trust in Democratic messaging in rural areas.
“Our strategy isn’t about chasing cable news coverage, it’s about showing up and building trust, town by town, county by county,” Spain said. “That is our path back to power.”
While Newsom remains tight-lipped about any White House ambitions, Democratic insiders continue to monitor his national outreach and travel as signals of long-term political planning.
Do you think Gavin Newsom is laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential run? What impact do early rural visits have on future campaigns? Share your views with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com — where we track every mile on the road to the White House.
