Newsom: Why is the governor of California on track for the White House?

Some decisions mark a political turning point. Gavin Newsom’s veto of SB 682, a bill aimed at banning a wide range of products containing fluorinated compounds (PFAS), is one such decision. In a context where polarization dominates and environmental policy too often veers toward ideological posturing, the California governor has chosen the more difficult path: that of reason, facts, and economic responsibility.

By refusing to bow to pressure from part of his own camp, Newsom has demonstrated a rare form of political foresight. Far from sloganeering, he understands that protecting the environment does not mean blindly condemning entire sectors of industry. SB 682, presented as an ecological measure, actually risked having catastrophic effects on essential sectors: healthcare, aeronautics, electronics, catering, hospitality… all of which depend on these high-performance materials, most of which are safe when used correctly.

This veto is not a rejection of ecology, but a choice of rationality. Newsom took the time to listen to scientists, entrepreneurs, workers, and consumers before making his decision. This approach has become rare in an era where politics too often seems to be guided by fear of media noise. He reminded us that science must take precedence over symbolism, that the ecological transition will not happen against the will of citizens, but with them.

His gesture came as a surprise, even to his own camp. But it is precisely this political courage that distinguishes a simple elected official from a future president. Where others would have sought the easy path of militant consensus, he preferred to assert a vision based on consistency, nuance, and responsibility. This ability to say “no” when everything pushes you to say “yes” is a sign of strong leadership, the kind of leadership America will need in the years to come.

Because beyond California, this veto sends a message to the entire country: politics must return to reality. The country does not need leaders who seduce, but leaders who understand. Leaders who look beyond the electoral cycle and are capable of reconciling innovation, social justice, and sustainable growth.

Newsom embodies this generation of public officials who want to reconcile American modernity with reason. His background, pragmatism, and ability to transcend partisan divides make him one of the few leaders capable of rallying a broad electorate, beyond the camps. In politics, foresight cannot be decreed: it must be proven. With this veto, Gavin Newsom has proven that he can see beyond the next election.

And that may be why, more than ever, the road from Sacramento leads to Washington.