Gavin Newsom Admits ‘Regret’ Over California COVID Restrictions as He Weighs 2028 Presidential Run

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is acknowledging that some of his state’s COVID-era restrictions went too far, expressing “regret” as he increasingly discusses the possibility of seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Newsom addressed his handling of the pandemic during an extended CNN interview with Jake Tapper in Montana. Looking back at California’s response, the governor defended many of the emergency decisions his administration made but acknowledged that officials did not get everything right.

Newsom specifically pointed to restrictions affecting outdoor activities as an area where California overreached. He said officials were making decisions with limited information during an unprecedented public-health emergency but conceded that some rules appear unnecessary when viewed with the benefit of hindsight.

California imposed some of the nation’s most extensive COVID restrictions during the pandemic, including business closures, limits on gatherings and prolonged disruptions to schools. Those policies became a major political issue and contributed to the unsuccessful effort to recall Newsom from office in 2021.

Newsom himself faced significant criticism after attending a dinner at the upscale French Laundry restaurant in November 2020 while urging Californians to avoid gatherings. He later apologized for attending the event and acknowledged that it undermined the message his administration was asking residents to follow.

The governor’s latest comments come as he openly considers what he will do after leaving office. Newsom told Tapper that he has not decided whether to seek the presidency in 2028, saying he needs a compelling reason to run and the support of his wife and four children before making such a decision.

Newsom also said he would not enter the presidential race if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run. He argued that the two Californians share too many political supporters and donors and described a potential primary contest between them as “mutual assured destruction.”

Despite stopping short of announcing a campaign, Newsom has continued building a national political profile as his tenure as California governor approaches its end. His public appearances and increasingly direct discussions about the presidency have kept him among the Democrats being discussed as potential 2028 contenders.

Newsom’s acknowledgment of mistakes during the pandemic adds another element to that developing national profile. As he considers whether to pursue the White House, his record governing California — including the controversial decisions made during COVID — would likely receive renewed scrutiny in any future presidential campaign.