California’s Newsom wins 2nd term, is White House run next?

By ADAM BEAM
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gavin Newsom has won a second term as California’s governor. Early returns Tuesday showed Newsom with 61% of the votes against little-known Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle. Newsom mostly ignored Dahle in the months leading up to the election. Instead, he campaigned against the policies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, two leading Republicans. That has increased speculation that Newsom is planning a run for president. Newsom has consistently denied that and has promised to serve the full four-year term as governor. That would have him in office through 2026.  Barely a year ago, Newsom faced a recall driven by critics of his policies during the pandemic. More than 60% of voters chose to keep him in office.