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Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he will determine whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, I would be lying otherwise," the governor stated when pressed about contemplating a White House bid after the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he cautioned that any choice is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

The California governor has stepped forward as a notable critic of the Trump administration, using his online platforms and advocating for a proposition that would expand the party's representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This move has made him a target from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a Sunday segment on Fox News. The secretary disclosed a strategy to pull government money from California and threatened revoking the authority to grant CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160 million from California," he declared, in the wake of a recent fatal crash in the state involving an undocumented commercial driver that led to loss of life and four injuries.

The governor's team noted that the federal government had renewed the individual's authorization on several occasions, which enabled him to secure a commercial driver's license under federal law.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was holding back additional funds from California for ignoring linguistic standards for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand national statutes," his administration responded in a recent release countering the funding warnings. "For now, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: California truck drivers had a death rate significantly lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Future Prospects

A recent survey revealed that a majority of the party and 48% of all registered voters believed that the governor must consider running for the White House in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has grown to an mean of 33.5% from around 30%, while his disapproval has fallen from an mean of over 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, Newsom stated while visiting several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for 2028.

He also referenced his earlier challenges, including being identified as dyslexic at the early childhood.

"The thought that a individual who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he stated. "No one can say? I am eager to see who steps forward in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the voters."