California Gov. Gavin Newsom made the trek to Michigan in his effort to help Democrats retake power in Washington, but that trip seems to have landed with a thud with some would-be allies in his expected presidential bid, according to an on-the-ground report.
One key Dem power broker sniped that she “did not get a call” from the globetrotting gov and another took a veiled swipe at Newsom’s aggressive auto regulations, telling a Politico reporter: “I’m a car girl.”
The Democratic governor is widely expected to run for the White House in 2028, and Michigan is a key early battleground on the primary calendar.
Newsom spent time this week in campaigning for down-ballot Democrats in the midwest state, including a meetup with far-left U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, visits to a black church and barbeque event, and a canvassing speech for statehouse Democrats.
But the week was also marred by botched meetings and fundraisers, Politico reported.
Newsom apparently did not meet with Virgie Rollins, the influential chair for the Democratic National Committee’s Black Caucus, despite a liaison reportedly inviting Rollins to a chat.
“Every Democratic president that has won an election has been in my house,” Rollins said. “I did not hear from him. I did not get a call.”
State powerbroker Rep. Debbie Dingell also told Politico that she didn’t hear from Newsom.
“I didn’t hear from the governor. I didn’t expect to: I’m a car girl,” she said, apparently referring to California’s push for fuel emission standards that disproportionately affect the Detroit-heavy car industry.
Newsom attempted to arrange a meeting with Shawn Fain, the United Auto Workers’ president and a key labor figure, but that failed to happen, sources told Politico.
Two fundraisers were also cancelled. Newsom withdrew from one with state attorney general nominee Eli Savit after he found out fundraising host Kelly Neumann, who’s made controversial remarks, would be part of it.
Another event for statehouse Democrats was derailed, with the hosts citing a “small donor base.”
Ultimately, one insider told Politico that Newsom’s trip was just a “B-minus.”
Newsom’s team has portrayed his visit as a success and also promised to schedule meet-ups with some of the people whom he didn’t meet with, such as Rollins. They’ve noted his packed schedule where he met with many Michigan figures, such as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin.
“Safe to say Michigan Democrats were excited by the opportunity to meet Gavin Newsom,” one of his communications staffers posted on X with video of one of his events.
Newsom’s last known visit to Michigan was July 4, 2024, to campaign for then-President Joe Biden in South Haven. While the trip explicitly was to simply help Michigan Democrats, observers note the obvious political calculations.
“Newsom is clearly taking every opportunity to build relationships here in Michigan,” David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University, told the Detroit News.
“The importance of our state in the presidential contest means it has to be at or near the top of his list of priorities for collecting political chits that he can then cash in when he needs help,” he said.
Newsom, still deemed a potential heavyweight contender, may need all the help he can get.
Several presidential polls have shown him trailing behind another California hopeful: former Vice President Kamala Harris.
