# Gavin Newsom Sounds Like He's Running

> Gavin Newsom, California's outgoing governor, pitches himself as the 2028 Democratic presidential candidate with a blend of Clintonian pragmatism and progressive policies.
- Title: Gavin Newsom Sounds Like He's Running · Vanity Fair | Shortify
- Summary: Gavin Newsom, California's outgoing governor, pitches himself as the 2028 Democratic presidential candidate with a blend of Clintonian pragmatism and…
- Keywords: gavin newsom, california, democratic party, 2028 presidential election, bill clinton, progressive policies, presidential candidate, political strategy, democratic socialists of america, ai regulation, billionaire tax, unsheltered homelessness
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/gavin-newsom-interview
- Author: Joe Hagan
- Published: 2026-09-30T12:48:37.573+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: gavin newsom, california, democratic party, 2028 presidential election, bill clinton, progressive policies, presidential candidate, political strategy, democratic socialists of america, ai regulation, billionaire tax, unsheltered homelessness
## Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom, outgoing governor of California and probable 2028 presidential candidate, knows what you’re thinking.
## California's Liberal Hellscape
California remains the quintessential liberal hellscape with nation-leading poverty and income inequality and widespread homelessness.
## California Derangement Syndrome
Newsom calls it 'California derangement syndrome,' his spin on the MAGA attack line for Trump haters.

> California derangement syndrome
## Proposition 50 Impact
Proposition 50 could flip five congressional seats in California in a tit-for-tat response to newly drawn seats in Texas.
## Clinton Connection
Newsom says he seeks Clinton’s counsel, his advice, and even in his absence, do that.
## Project 2029
Newsom is drafting policy ideas under Project 2029, a framework for 2029 that includes zoning reform, corporate tax, and childcare policies.
## Billionaire Tax Proposal
Newsom proposed a national billionaire’s tax, a federal tax-bracket adjustment for people making over $100 million.
## AI Regulation
Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1047, California’s first state bill regulating AI, and encouraged a narrower bill based on a white paper.
## Unsheltered Homelessness
Newsom claims a 9 percent drop in unsheltered homelessness over the past year, though the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office argues they’re underreported.
## DSA and Progressive Pressure
The Democratic Socialists of America are gaining ground with promises of burning the billionaire class to the ground.
## Newsom's Political Style
Newsom describes himself as a 'reasonableness' candidate, a seasoned technician of center-left governance who steered the fourth-largest economy with one hand and fought MAGA with the other.
## Clintonian Political Style
Newsom says he has a 'mind like a steel trap that remembers absolutely everything' and is a master of his craft.
## The 2028 Presidential Race
Newsom is pitching himself as the 2028 Democratic presidential candidate with a blend of Clintonian pragmatism and progressive policies.
## The 2028 Primary Calendar
Nevada is the second swing state on the Democratic primary calendar for 2028, after South Carolina.
## The 2028 Primary Race
Newsom is competing with Kamala Harris in the 2028 Democratic presidential race, though he has not officially entered the race.
## The 2028 Presidential Race
Newsom says he will run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris does not run.
## Key takeaway

Gavin Newsom, California's outgoing governor, is positioning himself as the 2028 Democratic presidential candidate by leveraging his progressive policies and Clintonian political style.