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The California governor, a prominent member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he plans to determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest otherwise," Newsom commented when questioned about contemplating a campaign for president after the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

Newsom's current term as governor concludes in early 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he cautioned that any determination is still years away.

"It's up to destiny," he said.

Increased Visibility as a Political Adversary

Newsom has come to the forefront as a prominent adversary of the Trump administration, employing his online platforms and pushing a initiative that would increase the party's congressional seats in following redistricting by Republicans. This move has made him a target from adversaries.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a recent interview on Fox News. The secretary revealed plans to cut government money from the state and threatened eliminating the state's ability to grant trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from the state," he stated, in the wake of a recent fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that led to loss of life and casualties.

The governor's team pointed out that the U.S. government had renewed the worker's status multiple times, which permitted him to secure a trucking license under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier stated he was holding back additional funds from the state for failing to implement linguistic standards for commercial drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," his administration retorted in a recent statement responding to the funding warnings. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we rely on data: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the single state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations

A this month's study revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters 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 risen to an average of a third from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has fallen from an typical level of over 40% to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom remarked while visiting several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his plans for 2028.

He mentioned his personal struggles, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, amazing," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who emerges in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the voters."