Newsom Is Betting Voters Want a Fighter, Not a Purist

California Governor Gavin Newsom is providing more evidence this week that he’s honing the political formula that could give Democrats their best chance of winning back the White House in 2028. That’s true whether or not he’s the candidate who ultimately benefits from the approach.

Newsom, who seems almost certain to seek the next Democratic presidential nomination, is doing two things at once. He’s moved to the very head of the line among Democrats who have found ways to forcefully push back against President Donald Trump and his red state allies. The latest example is this week’s session of the California state legislature, where Democrats are poised to approve Newsom’s plan to offset the Texas Republican gerrymander of five Congressional seats by advancing a November ballot initiative that could ultimately net them five more seats of their own. At the same time, he’s tilted toward the center on a surprisingly long list of polarizing issues, including expressing opposition to allowing transgender girls to play in school sports.