Premature to say if Newsom's running? Oh, please

California governor should focus on state issues, not presidential ambitions

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The California Post Editorial Board criticizes Governor Gavin Newsom for downplaying his presidential ambitions and instead focusing on national media appearances and a memoir release, rather than addressing key issues facing the state such as homelessness, housing affordability, and education outcomes.

Why it matters

Newsom's apparent political maneuvering and focus on national profile-building is seen as a distraction from his duties as governor of California, where the state faces numerous pressing challenges that require his attention.

The details

The editorial argues that Newsom's dismissal of questions about a potential presidential run as "wildly premature" is disingenuous, pointing to his recent trips to Europe, book tour, and social media trolling of the president as evidence of his national ambitions. The piece criticizes Newsom's "near-perpetual political theater" and "small-target tactic" of downplaying his ambitions to avoid becoming a target for rivals.

  • Newsom dismissed questions about a presidential run on Thursday.
  • Newsom's memoir "Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery" is set to be released on February 24, 2026.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California who is accused of focusing more on national media appearances and a potential presidential run than addressing key issues facing the state.

California Post Editorial Board

The editorial board of the California Post newspaper that published this critical piece on Governor Newsom's priorities and actions.

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What they’re saying

“It's wildly premature,”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

What’s next

The editorial calls on Newsom to spend less time "scheming to be president" and more time "confronting crises in the state he's meant to govern."

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between a politician's national ambitions and their responsibility to address the pressing issues facing their constituents at the state level. The editorial argues that Newsom is prioritizing his own political future over the needs of Californians.