California Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged Democrats to fix party weaknesses and communication after ongoing setbacks. He encouraged leaders to meet with conservatives in an effort to study organizing tactics. Newsom also noted that he is fundraising and organizing to help Democrats retake the House in 2026.
Newsom said, “So, look, I just I think it’s important to have those civil engagements. I think it’s important to dialog. It’s important to learn from your opponents, and it’s important to reconcile your weaknesses.”
Newsom continued, “As the Democratic Party, we have a lot of work to do to make up for our failures in the past.”
Newsom stated, “Look, it’s not complicated. Divorce is not an option. I mean, at the end of the day, we got to figure out a way to live together and dance together across our differences.”
Newsom added, “People need to understand what motivates them, how they keep winning in the context of how they keep organizing and building a coalition, particularly young man Charlie Kirk and what he was able to do. So he was kind enough to fly out. We spent an hour and a half together.”
Trump allies have dismissed Newsom’s warnings as partisan, while Democrats have called for a sharper strategy and clearer voter outreach.
Newsom warned that failing to act could harm election integrity in 2028, but no investigation has been announced. Newsom said, “We got crushed in this last election, and now we’re in a position where we are struggling to communicate. We’re struggling, to win back now, the majority in the House of Representatives. And that’s a big part of what I’m doing.”
Newsom added, “Not just today in terms of the work out here, raising money, but also raising awareness around how Donald Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections and how I fear that we will not have an election in 2028. I really mean that. And the core of my soul, unless we wake up to the code red, what’s happening in this country, and we wake up soberly, to how serious this moment is.”
Sarah Bennett covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.