Gavin Newsom Faces Sparse Crowds at South Carolina Book Tour Stop

The California governor's memoir promotion event in Rock Hill, S.C. had many unsold tickets just hours before showtime.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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California Governor Gavin Newsom's book tour stop in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Monday evening was struggling to fill seats, with tickets still available in large blocks just hours before the event. Newsom's spokesperson claimed the extra capacity was due to high demand, but some on social media expressed skepticism and plans to protest the governor's visit to the key presidential primary state.

Why it matters

Newsom's book tour is seen as part of potential preparations for a 2028 presidential run, and his performance in early primary states like South Carolina could be an early indicator of his national appeal. The sparse crowd in Rock Hill raises questions about whether Newsom can generate enthusiasm outside of his home state of California.

The details

Tickets for Newsom's "An Evening with Governor Gavin Newsom" event at the 750-seat McGirt Auditorium in Rock Hill were still available in blocks of 10 just two hours before the 6:30 pm start time. A Newsom spokesperson claimed the extra tickets were due to "added capacity" after the original allotment sold out, but some on social media viewed the unsold seats as a sign of lackluster interest. Newsom faced criticism over the weekend for comments about his SAT scores that were seen as insensitive during a stop in Atlanta.

  • Newsom's book tour event in Rock Hill, South Carolina is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • Newsom held book events in Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia over the previous weekend.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California who is seen as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.

Nathan Click

A spokesperson for Governor Newsom.

Laura Bursey

A Facebook user who expressed plans to protest Newsom's visit to South Carolina.

Mark Lemberger

A Facebook user who commented on Newsom's visit to the state.

Jamie Harrison

The former chair of the Democratic Party who was initially listed as the moderator for Newsom's event in Rock Hill.

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What they’re saying

“Getting my 'Gavin Out' protest signs ready!!”

— Laura Bursey (Facebook)

“Yes! Make South Carolina California... oh wait.”

— Mark Lemberger (Facebook)

“Actually, the original ticket allotment quickly sold out and we added capacity. Even those additional tickets are almost gone as you can see by Eventbrite's 'only a few left' tag.”

— Nathan Click, Newsom spokesperson (Email)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Newsom's struggle to fill seats in South Carolina raises questions about his national appeal outside of California, potentially complicating his rumored 2028 presidential ambitions. The event's sparse attendance and social media backlash suggest the governor may face an uphill battle winning over voters in key primary states.