Overview

• He is scheduled for eight stops in cafes, small businesses and churches across rural and Republican-leaning counties
• Newsom’s campaign has denied that the trip is a prelude to a 2028 presidential bid and says the focus remains on community outreach
• At his first stop in Florence, he emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue and federal support for wildfire-affected communities
• South Carolina Democrats view the visit as reinforcing the state’s early primary status and engaging Black and rural voters vital to their nomination process
• State Republicans have urged Trump supporters to greet Newsom with protests, signaling partisan tensions ahead of next year’s primary calendar decision