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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has disclosed that he intends to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Yeah, I would be lying if I said no," the governor stated when questioned about contemplating a campaign for president post the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he emphasized that any determination is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Rising Profile as a Trump Critic

Newsom has emerged as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, employing his online platforms and pushing a proposition that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has made him a target from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom does not care about Californians in a recent interview on a major news network. The secretary revealed intentions to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and threatened revoking the authority to issue CDLs.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from California," Duffy declared, in the wake of a this week's fatal crash in California involving an undocumented semi truck driver that caused loss of life and four injuries.

The governor's team pointed out that the national authorities had reauthorized the individual's authorization on several occasions, which enabled him to secure a commercial driver's license under federal law.

Duffy had before indicated he was holding back $40 million from California for not enforcing linguistic standards for commercial drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," the governor's team said in a previous statement addressing Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: California truck drivers had a death rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has grown to an average of about one-third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an typical level of previous highs to under 40%.

In previous months, the governor stated while on a trip several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his future for 2028.

He noted his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five.

"The thought that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, amazing," he stated. "No one can say? I await who emerges in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."