Democratic South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn is quietly signaling where the party’s future may head after Joe Biden, and his pick could reshape the 2028 presidential race before it even starts. During a South Carolina Democratic Party event this week, Clyburn told reporters he “feels good” about California Governor Gavin Newsom’s chances if he decides to run, dropping what many see as a clear nod toward the California liberal’s growing national ambitions.

“It’s no secret,” Clyburn said, adding that he sees Newsom as one of “these candidates that are running for president.” The comment came during an event where Newsom, on a two-day tour of rural counties in South Carolina, stopped to speak with voters, grassroots activists, and local officials in a state that will again play a crucial role in the Democratic primary process. Newsom’s visit included stops in historically black communities, echoing the campaign strategy that helped Biden secure the 2020 nomination with Clyburn’s influential endorsement.

The Biden ally’s quiet signal is significant. Clyburn’s 2020 endorsement was widely credited with reviving Biden’s campaign, turning the tide in a primary that had been slipping away. His words now suggest Newsom could emerge as a top-tier contender, even as Vice President Kamala Harris weighs her own next moves. Harris, who once enjoyed Clyburn’s public support, now faces a mixed reception from party insiders, with some reports indicating hesitancy about her potential run for California governor in 2026 or another presidential bid in 2028.

While Newsom avoided directly confirming his 2028 plans, he admitted during the event that he felt he “could have done a bit extra” to support Harris during her failed 2024 campaign. Still, he did not say if he would back Harris if she runs in 2028, telling reporters he’s waiting to “see what decisions she makes.” Harris, for her part, is reportedly torn between seeking California’s governor’s mansion or mounting a second White House bid, but some Democrats have expressed concerns about her electability in either race.

The event in South Carolina also highlighted the strategic work Newsom is doing to build connections with voters in early primary states. His visits, framed as listening tours and party-building trips, have also given him an opportunity to refine his national message and test how his California record plays outside the West Coast. Despite facing criticism over crime, homelessness, and rising costs in his home state, Newsom has continued to position himself as a fighter for progressive causes, including climate initiatives and resisting what he calls Republican attacks on freedoms.

Republicans have already begun to prepare opposition research and messaging should Newsom enter the 2028 field. His handling of California’s economic challenges, including high taxes and regulatory policies, will likely become a central point of contention in a general election campaign. However, Newsom has argued that California represents a model for “the future” on environmental and social policy, framing the state’s challenges as battles worth fighting to preserve progressive gains.

Clyburn’s endorsement is not an official declaration, but it is a clear signal that party power brokers are eyeing a post-Biden era and may be looking beyond Harris, who has struggled to find her footing after a string of policy and communications missteps as vice president. With Newsom increasingly seen as a potential unifier for Democrats, his moves in South Carolina may be the first of many steps toward building a coalition capable of winning a contentious primary.

For now, Democrats are watching closely as Newsom navigates the next few years, balancing his current role as governor while testing the waters for a possible White House run. Clyburn’s quiet but impactful words may just have opened the door a little wider for Newsom’s national ambitions—and the 2028 race is already taking shape before voters even realize it.