Newsom says he will decide by early January whether to run for president in 2028

Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he will decide within the next two months whether to seek the presidency, and plans to make up his mind by early January about a potential 2028 bid.

Newsom, who will leave office in January, was asked about his presidential aspirations while attending the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, and spoke to Turkey's Anadolu news agency.

Newsom said the decision on 2028 would be made in the next few months, that he would make the determination at the beginning of the year, and that he would spend the next few weeks with his family before deciding in early January.

Newsom has long been discussed as a potential 2028 contender, frequently mentioned among possible Democratic candidates including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Jon Ossoff.

Fellow Californian and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris could complicate those plans if she launches another White House bid. Newsom has previously said he would not run for president if Harris entered the race.

In a September interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Newsom said he did not know if Harris would run, but if she ran he would not, adding that he would not do that to her or waste everyone's time.

Newsom is term-limited after 2026. He outlined his timeline just over a week after Republicans suffered sweeping defeats in the midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress and several traditionally Republican strongholds.

Newsom said he was particularly pleased with the election outcome, said Donald Trump's presidency ended last week, and called it a historic rebuke of his tenure.

He also said it is now incumbent on those who were successful to govern and lead the party, and that the Democratic Party must set out a positive alternative agenda to Donald Trump.