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

"Yes, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a campaign for president post the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as governor wraps up in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he cautioned that any decision is a long way off.

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

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

He has stepped forward as a notable critic of the Trump administration, employing his social media accounts and pushing a ballot measure that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This move has drawn criticism from political opponents.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy announced plans to pull federal funds from California and suggested eliminating the authority to grant commercial driver's licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from California," Duffy said, in the wake of a this week's tragic collision in the state involving an undocumented commercial driver that resulted in fatalities and injured individuals.

The governor's team noted that the national authorities had approved the worker's status on several occasions, which allowed him to receive a trucking license under federal law.

The transportation secretary had earlier indicated he was blocking $40 million from California for ignoring English language requirements for CDL holders.

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 responding to the funding warnings. "For now, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Statistics are clear. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A recent poll found that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate said that Newsom must consider running for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has increased to an mean of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his disapproval has fallen from an average of previous highs to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom commented while visiting several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The notion that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, extraordinary," he said. "No one can say? I am eager to see who emerges in the next election and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."