Newsom tops 2028 Democratic candidates: Poll

Newsom Emerges as Leading Democratic Candidate for 2028 Presidential Nomination

California Governor Gavin Newsom is currently the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for the 2028 presidential race, particularly as his popularity has surged during an ongoing rivalry with President Trump.

A recent poll conducted by Yahoo/YouGov revealed that 21% of registered Democrats consider Newsom a preferred candidate. This survey, released on Thursday, suggests that despite no formal announcement from Newsom regarding his candidacy, he is viewed favorably by the electorate.

Following a brief campaign after the exit of former President Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris places second with 19% in this polling. Harris previously faced Trump in the 2024 election.

Other notable names rounding out the Democratic contenders include New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 12%, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 10%, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker at 7%, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, among others.

A previous Economist/YouGov poll from April indicated that Harris was seen as the top choice with 29%, while Newsom received about 8%. Both Buttigieg and Ocasio-Cortez followed closely, with ratings of 9% and 7%, respectively.

Newsom’s profile at the national level is gaining traction as he challenges Texas’s influence in shaping the congressional districts in California and continues to critique Trump, often paralleling the president’s social media strategies.

The current poll also reflected a broader perception among voters, showing that Trump’s rating remains fairly mixed, as he cannot legally pursue a third term.

Overall, respondents expressed a 41% unfavorable view of Newsom, although he enjoys significant support among Democrats, with only 14% reflecting negative opinions.

In contrast, Trump’s approval rating stands at 56% favorable, while 42% view him unfavorably. For Republican voters, the sentiment skews even more positively, with 89% expressing favorable views of Trump.

Interestingly, among younger Democrats under 45, preferences tilt toward Harris (27%) and Ocasio-Cortez (22%), with Newsom trailing at 13% as a potential candidate.