Gavin Newsom Teases Possible 2028 VP Pick

Hunter Biden is adding another twist to early 2028 speculation, saying he would be willing to join a presidential ticket led by California Gov. Gavin Newsom — but only as the vice-presidential nominee — according to a graphic aired by WABC.

The remark comes as Newsom continues to circle the national conversation as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race.

Hunter Biden has also become more visible in online political debates, drawing attention from conservatives, Trump allies, and Democrats still trying to define the party’s future after the Joe Biden era.

There is no evidence that Hunter Biden is building a national campaign operation or taking serious steps toward elected office. For now, political observers appear to view the comment less as a genuine campaign rollout and more as the kind of headline-grabbing remark that keeps his name in the political conversation.

Still, the statement attracted notice because Hunter Biden remains one of the most polarizing figures tied to the modern Democratic Party. Any association with a future national ticket would almost certainly invite scrutiny from Republicans and raise questions among Democrats about whether the party has truly moved beyond the controversies of the Biden years.

If Newsom edges closer to a presidential campaign, remarks like this could become part of the larger debate over Democratic leadership, WABC Radio reported.

But Newsom’s own 2028 prospects are far from guaranteed.

A statewide survey last fall showed that while some California Democrats were enthusiastic about a potential Newsom presidential bid, that support dropped sharply once voters looked beyond the Democratic base.

Among California voters overall, 52 percent said they did not want Newsom to seek the White House, CBS News reported.

That matters because any Democrat hoping to win the 2028 nomination would need to appeal to voters well beyond California’s deep-blue political environment. Home-state sentiment is often an early test of how voters view a candidate’s record when they have seen that leadership up close.

Newsom’s approval rating as governor remains positive and slightly stronger than support for a White House run. That suggests voters may be more comfortable with him as a state executive than as a national standard-bearer.

Most California voters say Newsom is focused on both state and national issues, though fewer believe he is paying enough attention to local concerns.

By comparison, enthusiasm for former Vice President Kamala Harris was even weaker at the time. Fewer than one-third of California voters, and just under half of Democrats, said Harris should run again.

Harris previously represented California in the U.S. Senate and carried the state during her 2024 presidential campaign, but her national brand remains a difficult sell even among many voters familiar with her political career.

Independents remain skeptical of both figures, though they appear more open to a Newsom campaign than another Harris run.

The poll also revealed how Californians view their state’s national reputation. A majority said California sets a strong example in technology, innovation, and culture, while slightly more than half said the same about environmental policy.

That optimism disappeared when voters were asked about housing, taxes, and the economy.

Californians overwhelmingly described the state’s cost of living as “unmanageable,” with frustration crossing income levels and party lines. Even many higher-income residents said they feel squeezed by housing costs, utility bills, taxes, and everyday expenses.

That economic pressure will loom large over California’s next major political fight: the 2026 governor’s race.

The contest remains months away, but voters are already considering possible candidates. Among Democrats, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla is one of the most recognizable names.

Many voters, however, said they had not heard enough about several potential contenders to make a firm decision. The uncertainty, along with voters considering multiple Democrats at once, shows how fluid the race remains.

Earlier this month, the gubernatorial primaries saw Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton finish in the top two spots, setting up a November showdown.

For Republicans, the 2028 Democratic conversation offers an early preview of a party still struggling to find its footing. Newsom wants to present himself as a national leader, Harris remains weakened by her previous run, and Hunter Biden’s name still carries the baggage of years of controversy.

The question for Democrats is whether they can move forward with a fresh message — or whether the same familiar names and scandals will continue defining the party heading into another presidential cycle.