Newsom’s 2024 buzz builds as he tours red states: ‘Future candidate’

Gov. Gavin Newsom: A Shadow Campaign in the Making?

As Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) traverses through red states during the Fourth of July festivities, his actions raise eyebrows and spark speculation about his true intentions. While he claims to be campaigning for President Joe Biden, many observers can’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance to a campaign of his own.

“He’s putting in time and effort that no one else outside the White House appears to be,” says Rob Stutzman, a Republican consultant in California. “He’s acting like the candidate-in-waiting. Someday it may pay off for him.”

Today, Newsom finds himself in Montana, enjoying a vacation with his family and engaging in private meetings with fellow Democrats. Earlier this week, he was in Idaho, and soon he’ll be heading to Utah. These states, known for their solid Republican support, have left many wondering about Newsom’s true motives.

Despite his denials of any interest in the White House, Newsom’s passionate campaigning for LGBT rights and against “MAGA” Republicans in states beyond his jurisdiction has raised suspicions. Could he be positioning himself as a potential replacement for Biden if the need arises?

In his speeches, Newsom consistently touches on familiar themes such as transgender issues and abortion access, emphasizing that Biden is the best choice to counter Republicans. While he claims he wouldn’t challenge Biden in a Democratic primary, he remains ambiguous about his own potential candidacy if the president were to step down.

Biden himself faces challenges for the 2024 election, with polls showing relatively weak support against long-shot contenders like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson. These numbers, including Kennedy’s 20% support in a recent CNN poll, have sparked speculation about the possibility of a more formidable opponent entering the race.

During his visit to Idaho, Newsom urged Democratic voters to passionately advocate for Biden’s reelection, emphasizing the need for a compelling case.

At 55 years old, Newsom is more than two decades younger than the current White House incumbent, which leads many to believe that he may be positioning himself for a potential run in either 2024 or 2028.

A recent YouGov-Yahoo News survey even showed Newsom narrowly defeating former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical matchup, with 40% of the vote compared to Trump’s 39%. The same poll also indicated that Newsom would prevail over Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) with a 39% to 36% lead if they were to face off in the 2024 election.

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