Governor Gavin Newsom of California spent Saturday campaigning with Democratic candidates in New Hampshire as part of a broader effort by potential 2028 presidential contenders to gain visibility in key battleground states ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Newsom’s appearance in Exeter came amid a flurry of visits by other possible presidential hopefuls, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who plans to campaign in New Hampshire next weekend alongside the Democratic Senate nominee, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who is also expected in the state in the following days.
The presence of these figures in New Hampshire underscores the state’s continuing strategic importance. While it lost its status as the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary state to South Carolina, New Hampshire will retain a prominent role in the 2028 nomination calendar as the third primary state. Democratic operatives and candidates are using the midterms as an opportunity to bolster down-ballot races while simultaneously testing messages and building networks that could support future presidential bids.
Newsom, addressing a rally with Representative Chris Pappas, the Democratic Senate candidate, acknowledged the political climate but deflected questions about his own ambitions, saying, “It’s all about 2026.” His remarks emphasized opposition to former President Donald Trump, a recurring theme on the campaign trail. Newsom’s visit followed recent appearances by Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, both also considering presidential runs.
Republican figures with potential presidential aspirations, such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, have likewise been active on the midterm circuit, campaigning for party nominees in states expected to play a role in the 2028 GOP primary. Vance has campaigned in multiple battleground states, including Michigan and Kansas, where he has voiced strong support for local Republican candidates. However, some Republican candidates have sought to distance themselves from associations with Trump and his allies, wary of the former president’s declining approval ratings. For instance, Republican Senate nominee Ashley Hinson did not attend a rally featuring Vance in Iowa, citing scheduling conflicts, amid concerns about the political impact of Trump’s endorsement.
Among Democrats, visits from potential presidential candidates have been uneven, reflecting strategic calculations and local political considerations. Some Senate nominees in conservative-leaning states have publicly declined visits from Harris due to her association with the Biden administration. Meanwhile, figures such as Buttigieg, who left the Biden administration in early 2025, have actively campaigned nationwide, endorsing numerous candidates and appearing in over 30 states to raise their profiles.
Campaign strategists characterize these midterm activities as part of an early or “shadow” primary phase, during which potential contenders build foundations for future runs. “A campaign for president is like having an endoscopy and a colonoscopy at the same time,” said one Democratic strategist, highlighting the dual challenge of shaping political narratives and gauging voter support. With multiple players seeking to balance immediate midterm objectives and long-term presidential ambitions, these visits reflect the evolving dynamics of the 2024 election cycle.
At the local level, Democratic activists in New Hampshire viewed Newsom’s visit as a sign of growing interest in the state’s role. Derek Thibault, chair of the Nashua Democratic City Committee, said he asked Newsom about potential presidential campaigning in the state. Though Newsom gave a lighthearted response, Thibault noted that he did not receive a definitive refusal, indicating that potential 2028 campaigns could increasingly revolve around New Hampshire as the midterms approach and beyond.