Who is Gavin Newsom, the governor who seems like a Democratic option for the White House

California Governor Gavin Newsom is increasingly being asked whether he plans to challenge US President Joe Biden in the Democratic Party’s race for the White House. “It’s ridiculous,” he said on Wednesday, when Fox News’ Sean Hannity asked him about the possibility of seeking the nomination for the 2024 election.

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Although Biden is seeking re-election, as is customary among sitting presidents, concerns about his age – he turns 81 in November – and other political weaknesses have caused several experts to doubt his options for defeating Donald Trump, his biggest rival. and most likely letter from Trump. the Republican Party for the next electoral process.

Most polls reflect a possible tie in the confrontation between the two. However, a poll by “The Washington Post” and ABC News revealed this week that Trump is 10 points ahead (52% to 42%).

As the Democratic leader has been embroiled in more lapses and scenes of confusion, most Americans have expressed concern in recent polls about Biden’s advanced age and his ability to lead a second term. There is also low approval of the management of the economy and immigration under his administration.

Although Newsom, who will soon turn 56, has emphasized his full support for Biden, he has been evasive and even ambiguous in some of his statements on the issue, including those that came when Hannity tried to pressure him last Wednesday.

Gavin Newsom alongside Joe Biden at a discussion on artificial intelligence in California in June this year. (Photo: AFP) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/)

“Yes or no? Will you accept the Democratic nomination to run for president in 2024 under any circumstances? Is it yes or no?“Hannity asked Newsom, who, instead of saying no, responded: “I hope”. “I was recently in Chicago (…) I’m helping plan President Biden’s inauguration for a second term” he added.

Before being elected governor of California (the largest state in the United States) in 2018, Newsom served as lieutenant governor for the past seven years. He is also known for having been mayor of San Francisco, a position he held with a fierce style defending minority rights until 2011.

The New York Times recalls that when he became governor of California, Newsom “presented a forceful argument in favor of that state as an antidote to the country’s divisive politics, promoting the state’s diversity and liberal values.” while also promising to address issues like income inequality, saying California is “simultaneously the richest state and the poorest state.”

Political scientist María Puerta Riera, professor of Political Science at Valencia College in Orlando, highlights that Newsom is a character who, although he has very progressive policies, is not an anti-business or anti-capital man. “It is, rather, progressive in its social policies. California is one of the strongest economies in the world, not just in the United States, but in the world. It has enough of an economy to be a country in its own right,” he tells El Comercio.

Newsom has been governor of California since 2018. (Photo: AFP) (FREDERIC J. BROWN/)

However, the governor faces many challenges in California, such as the housing issue. “People in a situation of helplessness are one of the most serious problems, in addition to the fight against climate change, which is of course where it is most attacked”, points out the expert.

Newsom is one of the young figures who has timidly appeared in search of leadership in the Democratic Party, mainly aiming for the 2028 elections.

Although his supporters have closed ranks around Biden for the 2024 elections, the scenario has also arisen in which the head of state is unable, for health reasons, to compete. In this eventual scenario, names like Newsom and other young Democratic governors emerge as possible replacements.

International analyst Brenda Estefan highlights that the election of a new Democratic figure to the highest position in the White House will depend on how much time remains until the elections, if a replacement is necessary.

“If we were very close, I think Vice President Kamala Harris would have to take over the nomination, although she is a figure who has not shined and who has low levels of popularity. Therefore, if there was more time until the election, one of the candidates preparing for 2028 may have to take over. The Democratic governors of Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and California are the most popular there, of course. Of course. , in addition to current Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg”, he points out to this newspaper.

Gavin Newsom is one of the Democratic figures who are emerging as the party’s new leaders for the future. (Photo: AFP) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/)

Puerta Riera believes it is more likely that Newsom is preparing for 2028 and that, for now, he will remain steadfast in his support of Biden’s nomination.

“Newsom is among the names that could appear if President Biden has to step aside due to health problems, and is one of the options that is also being prepared for the next campaign for the White House. And it’s not just him. There is a group of young people, especially governors, on this path. It seems to me that there is a future there from the Executive’s point of view, however, there are also people in Congress, in the Senate“, he points out.

“The New York Times” highlights that none of the new figures emerging in the Democratic Party have been as active as Newsom, who has been traveling the country.

For now, Newsom continues to hog the spotlight. In an unusual scenario, Fox News announced this Monday, the 25th, that it will host a debate at the end of November between Republican governor Ron DeSantis, of Florida, and his Democratic counterpart, Gavin Newsom, of California.

Source: Elcomercio