Gavin Newsom sets March 5 Portsmouth, NH stop as 2028 buzz intensifies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will visit Portsmouth on Tuesday, March 5, for a 6 p.m. ET event at The Music Hall, adding fresh momentum to speculation about a 2028 presidential bid. The stop comes as the two-term Democrat promotes his new memoir and continues to build a national profile in the early-state crucible of New Hampshire.
Event details in Portsmouth
The Music Hall has scheduled Newsom for an onstage conversation at 6 p.m. ET on March 5. Tickets include a hardcover copy of his book, “Young Man in a Hurry,” and are being made available in phases: a limited presale for members is underway, with general public sales opening at noon ET on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The venue, located at 28 Chestnut St., is among the country’s oldest continuously operating theaters and frequently hosts high-profile political and cultural figures.
A strategic early-state stop
New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary tradition has long made it a proving ground for national hopefuls. Potential candidates often introduce themselves here well before any official launch, testing messages, meeting organizers, and gauging donor interest. Andy Smith, who leads the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, has noted that early visits help would-be contenders “get in the good graces” of the state’s campaign pros and activists—and that it never hurts to offer praise for the Granite State while doing it.
Memoir spotlights personal journey
“Young Man in a Hurry” is slated for release on Saturday, Feb. 24. The book traces Newsom’s path from a childhood shaped by dyslexia to a career that has elevated him into the national spotlight. Promotional material for the event frames the memoir as an intimate account of identity, belonging, and the moments that led him into public life. For would-be presidential contenders, personal narratives can be as critical as policy positions, offering voters and influencers a sense of biography, resilience, and motivation.
2028 field already warming up
While he has stopped short of a formal declaration, Newsom has openly acknowledged that he would seriously weigh a presidential run after the 2026 midterm elections. His second term as governor runs through January 2027, positioning him to decide as the 2028 race accelerates. Over the past year, he has sharpened his national profile through high-visibility clashes with President Donald Trump on issues ranging from immigration to abortion, alongside headline-grabbing online sparring and efforts in California that energized party activists.
The New Hampshire appearance follows a period of intensified early-state networking by a growing roster of Democrats eyeing 2028. Some have already made the rounds in New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, signaling a long runway to the next open primary contest. Newsom has engaged party leaders beyond California and, at recent party gatherings, found receptive audiences among delegates and state chairs—an early indicator of organizational groundwork that often precedes a formal campaign.
What to watch next on the tour
Newsom’s itinerary extends beyond New England. He is kicking off his book tour in Tennessee, with additional stops planned in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. That blend of red- and blue-state venues offers a platform to stress-test messages on governance, contrast with national Republicans, and highlight a California record to diverse audiences. For New Hampshire observers, the Portsmouth date is a first look at how he frames his story and strategy for an early-state crowd known for close-quarters scrutiny.
With an open Democratic primary on the horizon in 2028, the calendar has effectively already started. The March 5 appearance in Portsmouth will provide a clearer sense of whether Newsom’s national ambitions are moving from exploration to preparation—and how Granite State voters respond to his pitch.
