Gavin Newsom’s New Hampshire Campaign Push Ahead of the 2026 Midterms

On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to Exeter, New Hampshire, to join a slate of Democratic candidates at a rally held at the town hall. The event, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., featured U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Chris Pappas, House hopeful Stefany Shaheen, and gubernatorial contender Cinde Warmington. Newsom used the platform to warn that “everything’s at stake” for American elections and to urge voters to turn out on November 3.

Portsmouth Herald

New Hampshire occupies a prominent spot in the Democratic presidential primary calendar, with its “First-in-the-Nation” contest set to begin shortly after the midterms. Newsom’s presence in the Granite State has been interpreted as an early test of a possible 2028 presidential bid, a speculation shared by political observers who also list fellow Democrats such as former Vice President Kamala Harris, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as potential contenders.

The Hill

The rally coincided with “No Kings” protests organized by the Indivisible-affiliated network across the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and southern Maine. Protesters framed the gatherings as a call to vote early to pre-empt alleged election sabotage by former President Donald Trump.

Portsmouth Herald

• Decision Desk HQ assigns Rep. Chris Pappas an 84 percent chance of winning the Senate race.

The Hill

• The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the Pappas-Sununu contest as leaning Democratic.

The Hill

These figures underscore the strategic importance Democrats place on New Hampshire’s ballot.

The Hill

He framed the midterm contests as a decisive moment for oversight and warned that former President Trump is “dictating the terms” of the electoral process.

The Hill

When asked about a potential presidential run, Newsom said most serious candidates will announce their intentions within the next 60 to 120 days, with some possibly entering “as soon as next month.”

WMUR9

• “I think everything's at stake. It's the spirit that defines this 250th anniversary of what our founding fathers lived and died for. And that's co-equal branches of government. That's about oversight. And we don't have it right now. We have Donald Trump dictating the terms,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom

WMUR9

• “There will not be a fair and free election in the United States of America if we don't take back the House of Representatives this year,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom

WMUR9

• “I think everybody will make a decision. Candidly, I think the vast majority of folks that are thinking about this, which are many, many people — you understand that better than any other state,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom

WMUR9

• “I know nothing more than you know. Period. Full stop,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom

The Hill

• “No greater honor among Democrats than to have Trump trash you,” — Garry South

The Hill

• Midterm elections: Voters in New Hampshire and the nation will cast ballots on November 3.

The Hill

These developments place New Hampshire at the intersection of immediate electoral battles and longer-term strategic positioning for the Democratic Party.

The Hill