California Governor Gavin Newsom (Photo: USA TODAY)
San Anselmo, California – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is sharply criticizing the Democratic Party for failing to examine its stinging losses in the 2024 elections, saying party leaders have yet to conduct a serious postmortem after losing the White House and Senate majority.
In an exclusive interview with The Hill, Newsom said the party must face hard truths if it hopes to regain relevance in 2028. “We have not done a forensic of what just went wrong, period, full stop,” he said. “There’s not been a party discussion that I’m aware of that has included the state of California.” Newsom, who governs the nation’s most populous state, emphasized that he’s speaking as a bystander and a key Democratic voice.
The governor, considered a likely contender for the 2028 presidential race, questioned the party’s identity and direction. “I don’t know what the party is,” he admitted. “I’m still struggling with that.”
Newsom said California, often dismissed as a liberal coastal enclave, reflects a broader swath of America than many assume. He noted the state’s sizable rural and agricultural sectors, saying, “We’re just America, only more so.” His comments underscore his belief that Democrats must better understand all voters—not just those in progressive strongholds.
Calling for more openness within the party, Newsom defended his recent decision to interview right-wing figures like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast. While that move drew criticism from Democrats, Newsom said their reactions missed the point. “The reaction when I had Charlie Kirk and Bannon on was exactly to me Exhibit A of what I feel is wrong right now with my party: an unwillingness to even engage in platform, to listen.”
While Newsom praised progressive energy from figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, he expressed skepticism about whether that momentum alone could carry the party to victory in 2028. “I don’t know that an electoral victory from a prism of 2028 lies there,” he said, though he admired their passion and ability to galvanize crowds.
Asked about Vice President Kamala Harris’s failed 2024 campaign, Newsom declined to point fingers, saying she had a short timeframe to build a national effort. “We’re all geniuses in hindsight,” he said.
Ultimately, Newsom warned that Democrats risk repeating their mistakes without introspection. “If you don’t learn the lessons of the past, you will repeat them.”
