California Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding his national political footprint with a new digital strategy aimed at influencing voters in private online communities, a move that signals preparations for a potential 2028 presidential campaign. The Campaign for Democracy, Newsom's federal political action committee, is recruiting supporters to become "Messengers" who will be trained to disseminate campaign-approved talking points within their personal networks, such as family text chains and alumni Facebook groups.
The initiative involves weekly virtual training sessions where participants learn to adapt Newsom's messaging into their own words to "translate it for people you understand better than we do," according to an email from the PAC. The goal is to embed political messages into online spaces where politics is not typically discussed, bypassing traditional advertising channels.
"This is smart political organizing: empowering real people to persuade the people they know best," Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom, told The Post. Gardon added that the effort is focused on helping Democrats win elections and is designed to counter the power of former President Donald Trump.
Volunteers participating in the program will use a web application called Echo to distribute content supporting Democratic candidates in key races across the country. The PAC's registration page indicates that messaging will be provided for candidates such as Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford and New Hampshire Senate candidate Chris Pappas, both in states considered crucial for presidential primary contests.
This digital push coincides with Newsom's increasing national appearances. He recently traveled to Michigan to support Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in his U.S. Senate primary victory. During his Michigan trip, Newsom is scheduled to campaign for various Democratic candidates, meet with community leaders, and participate in grassroots organizing events.
While Newsom has publicly stated he is not currently considering a presidential run, his extensive national travel and fundraising efforts, including a book tour and appearances across the country, have fueled speculation about his White House aspirations. His PAC has reportedly raised over $5.4 million for Democratic candidates and organizations this cycle.