Gavin Newsom Defends Common Ground With Democratic Socialists

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the Democratic Party is "pretty aligned" with the Democratic Socialists of America on several major policy issues as speculation continues over a potential 2028 presidential campaign.

According to Fox News, during an interview with "PBS NewsHour," Newsom was asked whether recent victories by democratic socialist candidates should push the Democratic Party to incorporate more of their ideas into its broader platform.

Newsom said many of those positions are already shared by Democrats, pointing to campaign finance reform, universal healthcare, Medicare for All, climate policy, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

"I believe in universal healthcare, and I believe in Medicare for All, the party does overwhelmingly," Newsom said. "And so, if it’s about more money in your pocket, lowering costs, getting money out of politics, if it’s about Medicare for All, I think we’re pretty aligned."

He also argued that Democratic and DSA positions overlap on climate and energy policy.

"It’s about recognizing that we’ve got a planet that is getting hotter and drier and that we’ve got to address the issue of climate change, we want energy security, and we want to move off fossil fuels," Newsom said. "That’s a DSA position, that’s a mainstream position within the Democratic Party."

Newsom also played down concerns about the growing prominence of democratic socialists, saying the label is familiar to him and that such candidates can be viewed as part of the party's progressive wing.

"I think in many ways, it’s just a label … it’s just such a familiar label to me, we call them progressives," he said.

The comments come as DSA-backed candidates have gained greater attention in Democratic politics. Recent PBS coverage has examined the rise of candidates openly identifying with democratic socialism and what their success could mean for the party.

The DSA's current national program calls for major changes to the U.S. political and economic system, including greater working-class control of government and the economy.

Newsom's comments could add another layer to the debate over the Democratic Party's direction ahead of 2028, particularly as Democrats weigh the influence of candidates campaigning on more progressive economic and political platforms.

Watch the video below: