California Gov. Gavin Newsom embarked Tuesday on a two-day swing through rural South Carolina as the high-profile Democrat seeks to position himself as a leader for a party in rebuilding mode while simultaneously stoking fresh speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid.

South Carolina GOP leaders tell Gov. Newsom to 'sell Crazy California somewhere else' as Democrats say visit targets overlooked areas. Trip sparking plenty of Newsom 2028 presidential speculation

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) will start his two-day tour of rural South Carolina on Tuesday, making stops in some of the state’s reddest counties that have been economically and environmentally devastated over the years.