Key facts
- Nevada is slated to be an early state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar.
- Governor Gavin Newsom has visited Nevada to support Democratic candidates.
- Republicans are using Newsom's policies and California's high cost of living as a campaign issue in Nevada.
- A recent poll shows Newsom leading potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in Nevada.
- California has experienced significant population loss, with many residents moving to Nevada, citing high housing costs.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing an early test of his potential 2028 presidential ambitions in Nevada, a neighboring state that has become a destination for Californians seeking lower living costs. Nevada is set to be an early state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar, offering Newsom a crucial opportunity to court voters.
Newsom has actively visited Nevada, participating in campaign events for Democratic candidates like U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford and Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is challenging Republican Governor Joe Lombardo. His memoir promotion in Boulder City also drew Democratic activists. Other potential 2028 contenders, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, have also made appearances in the state, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg scheduled for a fundraiser.
Despite a generally positive regard for Newsom among Nevada Democrats, as noted by former Governor Steve Sisolak, his association can also be a liability. Republican campaigns have highlighted Newsom's endorsement of Ford, aiming to link the California governor's policies, such as his state's high housing costs and homelessness crisis, to Democratic candidates. Lombardo has criticized Newsom's "tax-and-spend" agenda.
California has seen a significant outflow of residents, with hundreds of thousands moving to Nevada, primarily due to the high cost of living. Newsom's office has dismissed reports of population loss as a "California Derangement Syndrome" narrative. A recent Emerson College poll indicated Newsom leads the field of prospective 2028 candidates among Nevada Democrats with 37% support, followed by Buttigieg at 19%. However, the same poll showed Ford and Lombardo in a tight race for the Nevada governorship.