Is Gavin Newsom running for President? Speculation grows as his super PAC backs Charleston mayoral candidate
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom's potential presidential ambitions are once again under scrutiny as his super PAC made a significant contribution to the Democratic mayoral candidate in Charleston, South Carolina. This move is particularly noteworthy as South Carolina is a crucial early primary state.
Newsom, who has previously downplayed any interest in running for the White House in 2024, has been the subject of ongoing speculation.
Joe Biden's struggles and Gavin Newsom's high-profile activities
The discussion around Newsom's intentions intensified following a New York Times/Siena poll released on Sunday, November 5, which showed President Joe Biden trailing former President Donald Trump in five out of six swing states.
Concerns about Biden's age and his performance on economic issues have continued to linger.
Newsom, who has maintained that he is not planning to run for president, has been involved in high-profile activities that have fueled the rumors. His recent visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his upcoming one-on-one debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have garnered significant attention.
Newsom's Campaign for Democracy PAC made a substantial contribution of $1,000 to Charleston mayoral candidate Clay Middleton, as reported by Axios. Middleton, who is a close ally of Rep James C Clyburn, received the endorsement from Clyburn, a key figure in President Biden's victory in the 2020 election.
Middleton is challenging incumbent John Tecklenburg, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, another potential presidential candidate, has also supported Middleton's campaign.
The political landscape in Charleston has become more contentious as an attack ad targeting Tecklenburg accuses him of being skilled at playing the piano but lacking the necessary skills to be an effective mayor. The ad also criticizes him for being "MIA" during the King Street riots in 2022 and for not adequately addressing massive flooding issues.
Despite the ongoing speculation about his presidential ambitions, Newsom has remained a staunch defender of President Biden. He has engaged in confrontations with conservative media hosts and acted as a surrogate for the president during the second presidential debate.
Newsom is set to assist President Biden in hosting an Asia Pacific summit with world leaders later this month, with a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping on the agenda.
Accusations and denials
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania publicly criticized Newsom during an Iowa Democratic Party dinner, accusing him of secretly running for president.
“There are two additional Democrats running for Pennsylvania, excuse me, running for president right now,” Fetterman stated. “One is a congressman from Minnesota, the other one is the governor of California, but only one has the guts to announce it.”
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also expressed his belief that Newsom was covertly running for president during an event in Iowa City last month, stating, “The man is running for president, doing it and doing it in disguise, doing it with a track record at a state that is more disastrous by the day.”
Newsom has repeatedly denied any intention to challenge President Biden for the White House.
The New York Times/Siena poll has once again raised questions within the Democratic party about whether the 80-year-old President Biden is their strongest candidate for a potential rematch with Donald Trump. The poll revealed Trump leading Biden in five of six swing states, prompting speculation about Biden's future plans.
Former Barack Obama advisor David Axelrod publicly questioned Biden's decision in light of these poll results. "What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?" he posted on X.
Only @JoeBiden can make this decision. If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023
South Carolina holds the first officially sanctioned primary this year under a new DNC calendar, although New Hampshire has traditionally guarded its status as the first-in-the-nation primary state.