Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has chased headlines from Sarasota to Beijing this year, but the California Democrat's international tour has raised questions about ulterior motives.

As Newsom fashions himself as a democracy warrior willing to take on GOP politicians on abortion rights and gun control, he's been hit with accusations of running a "shadow campaign" for president despite his status as a member of President Joe Biden's 2024 reelection campaign national advisory board. And while Newsom has consistently dismissed speculation of a primary challenge to the president and has additionally reiterated his support for Biden, his recent moves have left some skeptical.

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"Newsom isn’t a 2024 presidential candidate; he just plays one on TV, and it’s a show we’ve all streamed before," said Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff, noting the California Democrat's nation- and globe-trotting.

His national footprint has become so large that speculation over a potential 2024 bid has failed to be quelled by Newsom's various denials. Rumors of his presidential ambitions were especially pervasive before Biden announced his intention to seek reelection in April. "No, no, not at all," the California governor said in September 2022 when questioned on a potential presidential campaign. "I've said it in French, Italian — I don't know German — I can't say it enough."

But his actions have seemed to paint a different picture, as Democratic strategists and voters alike appear unconvinced by his words.

"Newsom seems to be pulling out all the stops to run a shadow campaign across the country and the globe," Shroff said. He pointed specifically to Newsom's recent China and Israel trips, which he said the governor offered "tortured logic for." Newsom has similarly been accused of running a campaign in waiting by prominent figures such as Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and late-night host Bill Maher. NewsNation host Chris Cuomo also questioned Newsom in September on his national actions but lack of a campaign.

Shroff also cited Newsom's recent national call for a 28th amendment to the Constitution to address gun violence. But, the strategist said, this "only serves as a vehicle to promote himself."

And, "conveniently," he said, "it gives Newsom cover to travel around the country to states the California governor, again, otherwise has no business visiting in order to fundraise and campaign for the effort."

One top California Democratic strategist called Newsom's presidential ambitions "the worst kept secret." They opined on his recent international travel, calling it "a glitzy PR tour for the [Chinese Communist Party]."

But not everyone was so critical of Newsom's latest moves. According to Democratic strategist Rich Luchette, "It makes sense" for the California governor. "If he decides to run for president in 2028, Gov. Newsom will be one of the leading contenders," he said.

"It doesn't hurt to start where he started. He's inserting himself into that conversation," agreed California-based Democratic strategist Roger Salazar. "He's talking about big issues."

Another top California strategist disagreed, claiming, "In this waiting period, you do two things: Make yourself an asset to the guy sitting in the Oval Office and avoid unforced errors." And Newsom has already failed at this, the strategist said.

Shroff shared this sentiment, pointing to "the embarrassing glamour shots at the Great Wall and tripping over a small child," referring to a video from Newsom's China trip in which he tripped and inadvertently knocked over a Chinese child during a game of basketball.

Some of Newsom's first national moves were focused on abortion. In late 2022, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, his administration launched Abortion.ca.gov, a website to provide resources to residents and nonresidents of California alike for obtaining abortions. Soon after, the governor coordinated a billboard campaign in several Republican-led states promoting travel to California for abortions.

Earlier this year, his PAC Campaign for Democracy set off on a red state tour, during which Newsom promoted progressive policies in Republican-voting areas, including in Florida, the home state of 2024 GOP contenders former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

"I don't think this is a 2024 issue," Salazar said. Instead, he suggested Newsom felt he could fill the void on national issues that needed addressing: "More power to him for picking up the slack when it comes to a lot of these national conversations."

And while he doesn't believe Newsom is making some last-ditch effort for the White House this cycle, Salazar ceded, "We are in a world where anything is possible in politics. You can really never rule anything out."

Skeptical Democrats also noted Newsom's controversial plan to debate DeSantis. The two governors will square off during Fox News's Hannity for 90 minutes on Nov. 30. The debate will be just days before the next Republican National Convention primary debate on Dec. 6.

"The clear effort by Newsom to position himself as the 2028 standard-bearer for the party overlooks our historic [Vice President Kamala Harris]," said Shroff, who claimed the event is disrespectful. However, the Biden team views Newsom as an effective surrogate and has not voiced concerns of disrespect.

Democratic strategist Marshall Cohen echoed the president's campaign, noting Newsom led the countermessaging effort at the second RNC debate. Newsom "continues to be an effective messenger for the Biden campaign," he said.

Though Shroff predicted that if the California Democrat performs strongly against DeSantis in the debate, "there will only be more calls for him to replace Biden as the nominee," undermining Biden's campaign despite his stated intention not to compete with the president.

What's more, he said, is Newsom isn't a "viable candidate."

This was reaffirmed by political scientist Josh Putnam who said it would be "nearly impossible" for Newsom to launch a late primary challenge to Biden. One reason is the ability to get on the ballot in states for the presidential primary elections, which awards delegates for the Democratic National Convention.

Filing deadlines have already passed in Nevada and New Hampshire. And many more cutoff dates are fast approaching in November and December, including Michigan (Dec. 8), Colorado and Texas (Dec. 11), Virginia (Dec. 14); and North Carolina, Louisiana, Vermont, and his home state of California (Dec. 15), according to Ballotpedia.

"There is no silver bullet non-Biden path on the Democratic side," Putman said.

Per Shroff, Newsom is far from the most palatable Democrat, even for 2028. "A winning smile and hair gel is not enough," he said, noting the governor's "scandalous" past, including having an affair with his campaign manager's wife in the early 2000s as he campaigned for mayor of San Francisco and dining at a ritzy restaurant for an exclusive get-together during a surge of COVID-19 in 2020.

"There are, in fact, equally powerful Democratic voices [that] stand in stark contrast to Newsom’s approach," Shroff said, pointing to examples of Govs. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and Wes Moore (D-MD), who he claimed have been "impactful" without "overshadowing" anyone.

As for whether Newsom could actually attempt a severely last-minute 2024 run, it's unlikely. "Newsom might be looking at the [New York Times] poll and see he’s got a chance," the top California Democratic strategist said, noting recent polling showing former President Donald Trump defeating Biden in several swing states.

Still, there are some narrow long-shot pathways for Newsom 2024.

In states where Newsom missed the filing deadline, he could launch a write-in campaign or urge supporters to vote "uncommitted" on the primary ballot where those options are available as a way to generate delegates to the convention.

As for the August convention in Chicago, "There are almost infinite possibilities there. None of them are particularly probable," Putnam said, noting that "pledged delegates can vote for another candidate" should a Biden challenger be included in the roll call vote. "In practice, however, they rarely do," he added.

Any attempt at the presidency this late in the game would be incredibly difficult, and Newsom is not expected to try it, according to strategists. But that could change dramatically if Biden has to bow out.

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University of South Carolina political scientist David Darmofal said it's possible "the nomination is decided at the convention if Biden drops out after the filing deadlines for some reason," which has become more of a concern in an era when the candidates expected to represent the two major parties are 80 years old and 77 years old.

A spokesperson for Newsom's political action committee did not provide comment to the Washington Examiner.