Gov. Gavin Newsom of California met with Democratic voters in an early primary state that has become pivotal in presidential races.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom promoted his more than 2,000-mile jaunt from California to South Carolina as a bid to help the party win back the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, but most people there saw it as a precursor to a 2028 presidential run.

The state Democratic Party chairwoman said the visit is about "building partnerships, uplifting communities, and showing rural voters they aren't forgotten."