Gavin Newsom is reportedly among the potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders seeking to woo US Senator Elizabeth Warren for her support.
The California Governor on May 12 proudly proclaimed his appointment of former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra to lead the state’s new Business and Consumer Services Agency, set to launch in July.
The governor had framed his selection as an answer against President Donald Trump and called Chopra a “national leader” in consumer protection.
“As the Trump administration turns its back on consumers, we need strong and fearless leaders to keep protecting Californians. Rohit Chopra has shown exactly that kind of leadership,” Newsom said then in a statement.
Chopra is a key ally and protégé of Warren and her far-left economic policies. Chopra’s appointment spurred criticism from industry groups, with one tech group CEO calling it “a strange choice” by Newsom, who has vocalized against overregulation.
According to Axios, the selection was meant to woo Warren’s circles as other presidential contenders, such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, have met with her.
The California Post reached out to Newsom’s office for comment.
Newsom and Warren have a history. Earlier in February, Warren and Newsom were spotted together at a San Francisco restaurant, and the two Democrats have a texting relationship, Axios reported.
Warren herself ran for president in 2020 appealing to a progressive flank, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the governor’s wife, endorsed Warren for president in 2020.
In 2021, Warren came out to California to support the governor to fight off a recall and was even featured in a campaign ad for Newsom.
Despite Warren’s influence among progressive circles, some questioned whether it was smart for Newsom and others to try to get her support.
“Elizabeth Warren literally hired 1,000 people for her presidential campaign, got 7% in South Carolina, and then seemingly hired 1,000 people into the Biden administration,” said Liam Kerr, co-founder of the center-left WelcomePAC.
“Not sure which of those three [things] candidates want advice on, but hopefully not the last one,” Kerr told Axios.
