Major Dem leading Trump in polls considering presidential run
A prominent Democratic figure who leads President Donald Trump in polling is considering a run for the Oval Office.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBS News in an interview that he will consider a presidential run after the 2026 midterm election.
"Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise," Newsom said when asked if he'd given serious thoughts about running. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not — I can't do that."
Though the Constitution's 22nd Amendment bars Trump from seeking a third term, polls featuring a hypothetical matchup between the president and Newsom show Trump trailing the governor.
A Yahoo/YouGov poll conducted between Aug. 29 and Sept. 2 found that 49% of respondents supported Newsom and 41% supported Trump.
The survey has a sample size of 1,690 U.S. adults and a 3.1% margin of error.
A poll conducted by the Canadian-owned research company Leger found that Newsom earned 48% support, while Trump earned 44%. The Leger poll was conducted between Aug. 29 and Aug. 31 with a sample size of 1,014 adults and a margin of error of 3.1%.
Throughout the year, Newsom has fashioned himself as a foil to Trump — criticizing the president's attempts to deploy the National Guard in California and his involvement in mid-decade Congressional redistricting.
In an attempt to mock Trump online, Newsom and his press office have copied the president's social media habits. These include writing posts on the social media site X in all capital letters or giving demeaning nicknames to Republican officials, such as calling White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, " Karolyin' Leavitt ."
Newsom vs. Vance
The Yahoo poll also found Newsom leading Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical race by the same margin: 49% to 41%. A survey conducted by Emerson in October, however, shows a closer race.
The poll, which was conducted between Oct. 13 and Oct. 14, found 46% of respondents supporting Vance and 45% supporting Newsom. Just 10% of respondents said they were undecided. The Emerson poll featured a sample size of 1,000 U.S. voters and a margin of error of 3%.
In August , Emerson found Newsom and Vance tied at 44%.
Talking to reporters on Air Force One on Monday, Trump floated Vance as a possible successor to him, saying he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be " unstoppable " if they were on the Republican ticket.
"I'm not sure if anybody would run against those two," Trump said. "I think if they formed a group, it would be unstoppable."
Newsom vs. Harris
Several polls have shown Newsom leading a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary — besting former Vice President Kamala Harris.
In the Yahoo/YouGov poll, 21% of respondents said they would pick Newsom, compared with 19% who would pick Harris.
In a poll by Atlas Intel conducted between Sept. 12 and Sept. 16, Newsom led Harris by 16% (37% to 21%). The Atlas Intel poll featured 1,066 respondents and a 3% margin of error.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Harris indicated she may run for president again.
"I am not done," the former vice president told the BBC. "I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it's in my bones."
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