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Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he intends to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," Newsom stated when asked about contemplating a presidential run after the 2026 ballots. "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 is ineligible for re-election. However, he cautioned that any choice is still years away.

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

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

He has come to the forefront as a prominent opponent of the current federal leadership, using his social media accounts and championing a proposition that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in response to GOP gerrymandering. This move has made him a target from adversaries.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a weekend segment on Fox News. The secretary revealed plans to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and warned eliminating the power to issue commercial driver's licenses.

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

Newsom's office pointed out that the U.S. government had reauthorized the worker's status repeatedly, which permitted him to receive a CDL under federal law.

The transportation secretary had earlier announced he was withholding $40m from the state for not enforcing language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Governor's Office

"One-time television figure, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," Newsom's office said in a recent statement responding to Duffy's threats. "For now, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California truck drivers had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the sole state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A this month's survey showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has increased to an typical level of a third from previous levels, while his unfavorability has fallen from an mean of previous highs to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom commented while on a trip several key regions that he had "no idea" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The idea that a person 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, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "No one can say? I am eager to see who steps forward in the next election and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the voters."