California Governor Gavin Newsom campaigned across New Hampshire, backing Democratic candidates and raising over $526,000 for the state party, while discussing a potential 2028 presidential bid as local Democrats questioned what his national profile offers voters.
Gavin Newsom Rallies New Hampshire Democrats Ahead of the Midterms
California Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to New Hampshire on October 17, 2026, delivering a series of campaign stops in Exeter and Nashua to rally voters for the upcoming November 3 general election. Newsom joined U.S. Senate nominee Chris Pappas, congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen, and gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington at local field offices and town halls. His team reported raising more than $526,000 for New Hampshire Democrats this election cycle through more than 23,500 individual contributions. Alongside these local appearances, the California executive joined U.S. Maggie Hassan at the Granite State events, emphasizing the urgency of the legislative battles on the ground. When stumping for Warmington in Nashua, Newsom delivered a pointed boost to her campaign, describing her as possessing a hard-headed pragmatism. This visit followed earlier regional travel by other prominent surrogates, though observers noted that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear had not stumped for Warmington during his own September visit to the state, where the Democratic Governors Association has declined to invest financial backing.
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Speaking to supporters at a Nashua field office backed by his Campaign for Democracy organization, Newsom warned that control of Congress hangs in the balance. It’s all on the line, Democrats, Newsom said. Do not focus on 2028 because we may not have free and fair elections unless Maggie is back in the majority and Chris is in the United States Senate. Later addressing hundreds at Exeter Town Hall, he urged the party to fight fire with fire and warned, If we don't put a stake in the ground this year, we will lose this republic. Expanding on his frustrations with national party strategy, the California governor argued that Democrats had long ago lost the habit of trying at the state legislative level, pointing to historical Republican investments in local redistricting battles that left the party down nearly a thousand state house and senate seats nationwide under the Obama administration, including legislative losses in New Hampshire.
Local Skepticism and the 2028 Presidential Primary Landscape
Despite the packed town halls and fundraising totals, Newsom encountered pushback from established New Hampshire Democrats regarding his national ambitions and political messaging. Former U.S. Representative Annie Kuster told POLITICO that she lacked a clear sense of what the California governor offers Granite State voters.
Photo: New York Post
They’re not looking for a traditional sort of big government, big state, ‘Oh, whoo-hoo! It’s the governor.’ They don’t know how being governor of California is going to translate into helping their life in New Hampshire [and] this focus on the high cost of living, the focus on the corruption in Washington.
GAVIN NEWSOM rallies Democrats as he brings his "TAKE IT BACK" tour to South Carolina
Annie Kuster, former U.S. Representative, via Politico
While public polling and national pundits place Newsom near the top of potential contenders, other party figures have offered mixed assessments. Longtime Democratic strategist Doug Herman noted that Harris had failed to capitalize on her opportunities and had not entered the current political mix, while Newsom has previously stated he would not challenge her if she pursued a third presidential run. Meanwhile, the official 2028 primary schedule adopted by the Democratic National Committee places South Carolina first on January 22, Nevada second on February 1, and New Hampshire third on February 8. Newsom addressed his timeline for deciding on a presidential run during interviews in the state, telling WMUR that the vast majority of serious candidates will likely announce their intentions within the next 60 to 120 days.
The vast majority of in the next 60 to 120 days, I think within the first quarter of next year, the overwhelming majority of people that are serious about running will have announced. I think some as soon as, you know, next month; I imagine there’ll be some early entrants. For me, I’ve got to finish my job as governor. But we’ll make that decision probably around the beginning of the new year.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, via WMUR
Financial Disclosures and National Fundraising Contrast
Newsom’s travels extend far beyond New England. Federal filings show his Campaign for Democracy PAC, launched in March 2023 with $10 million transferred from his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, ended 2025 with $3.4 million in cash on hand after heavy spending on national digital advertising and travel, according to reporting cited by Hoodline. Nationally, Newsom’s team reports he has raised more than $6.5 million for Democrats this election cycle.
Photo: Politico
Earlier in the year, Newsom’s international and domestic travel included stops at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Munich Security Conference, and London—where he signed a clean-energy agreement with the United Kingdom. Records obtained by The California Post showed that European swing cost roughly $57,000 for flights, hotels, and meals, covered by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit funded by wealthy donors and corporations.
