California Gov. Gavin Newsom may not have officially entered the 2028 presidential race, but one influential billionaire is already firmly behind him.
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is openly backing the California Democrat, calling Newsom the kind of candidate who could reconnect a divided Democratic Party and appeal to both progressive and moderate voters ahead of the next presidential election.
“Gavin is the candidate who can motivate both the left and the center,” Hastings told the Los Angeles Times.
The endorsement adds to growing speculation that Newsom is quietly preparing for a White House run. While he has not formally announced any plans, the governor has been steadily building a national profile through fundraising efforts, media appearances, and a high-profile book tour that has taken him through several key Democratic strongholds.
Newsom has also expanded his political operation through Campaign for Democracy, a national committee that has reportedly raised millions and helped position him as one of the party’s most visible figures heading into the post-Biden era.
Still, the path to the Democratic nomination may not be simple. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, another California Democrat, remains an early frontrunner in hypothetical 2028 polling despite the fallout from her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.
A recent YouGov survey found Harris leading potential Democratic contenders with 25% support. Newsom followed with 12%, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg each earned 9%.
Even so, some Democratic donors appear eager for a different face to lead the party into the next election cycle. According to the Los Angeles Times, several high-level fundraisers believe Democratic voters are looking for someone new after recent election setbacks.
“There is an enormous appetite for new blood — something fresh, something that really represents the future, not the past,” one unnamed fundraiser said.
Hastings’ support carries weight not only because of his influence in Democratic politics, but also because he previously backed Harris financially. During the 2024 election cycle, the Netflix executive donated $1 million to Future Forward, a super PAC supporting Harris’ campaign.
Despite that support, Hastings now appears more enthusiastic about Newsom’s political future. The billionaire donor has backed several of Newsom’s political efforts over the years, including contributing $2 million to California’s Proposition 50 redistricting campaign.
He has also repeatedly praised Newsom’s political instincts and leadership style. In comments to Politico last year, Hastings described the governor as “a gifted political strategist and a futurist,” while also calling himself “a big fan of Gavin Newsom.”
The public support from a major Democratic donor is likely to intensify speculation surrounding Newsom’s ambitions, especially as Democrats continue searching for a candidate capable of rebuilding momentum after losses in recent national elections.
For now, Newsom continues to deny any active presidential campaign. But with wealthy allies lining up behind him and Democratic donors increasingly looking beyond Harris, the early battle for 2028 may already be taking shape behind the scenes.
