Is California’s golden boy testing the waters for a White House bid, or just playing political tourist in the Palmetto State?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is heading to rural South Carolina next week for a two-day visit on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting eight of the state’s most economically struggling and environmentally at-risk counties to discuss natural disaster recovery and federal aid in the wake of events like Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires.
South Carolina isn’t exactly a liberal stronghold, and Newsom’s track record on managing crises back home has raised plenty of eyebrows.
Breitbart reported that Newsom's trip will focus on connecting with communities hit hard by nature’s wrath, emphasizing shared struggles between California and South Carolina.
But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: his handling of blizzards and wildfires in his state has been criticized as less than stellar, with some pointing to times he was out of the country during emergencies or failed to secure basics like water during fires.
Will these rural voters, many of whom are poor and black, buy into his message of solidarity, or see it as a polished PR stunt from a West Coast progressive?
Rewind to January 2024, when Newsom last stepped foot in South Carolina to stump for Democratic heavyweights Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Back then, as reported by POLITICO, he didn’t exactly win over the crowd—some voters eyed his liberal leanings with suspicion, and that skepticism might still linger.
South Carolina, after all, isn’t just any state; it’s a key early primary battleground that proved pivotal for Biden’s 2020 nomination, thanks in part to strong support from black voters and an endorsement from Rep. Jim Clyburn.
Fast forward to now, and Democrats have positioned South Carolina as the first state in their primary cycle, amplifying its importance for any aspiring national candidate.
Newsom’s aides, according to the Los Angeles Times, insist this trip is about boosting Democratic turnout for the 2026 midterms, but with no competitive congressional districts in the state per the Cook Political Report, that excuse feels a bit thin.
More likely, he’s laying the groundwork with black voters in impoverished areas, hoping to build a coalition in a state that can make or break early presidential ambitions.
Still, Newsom’s challenge is steep—his progressive agenda might not resonate in a conservative-leaning state where voters prioritize results over rhetoric.
The South Carolina Democratic Party is pitching this as a chance to address federal support post-disaster, but if Newsom’s past crisis management is any indicator, he’ll need more than talking points to convince folks he’s the man for the job.
At the end of the day, this visit could be a smart move to test his national appeal, or it might just reinforce doubts about whether a California liberal can win over the heart of the South—time will tell if this gamble pays off.