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Gavin Newsom, a prominent member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he plans to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yeah, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor remarked when questioned about seriously considering a White House bid after the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

Newsom's time in office as California's leader concludes in early 2027, and term limits prevent another run. But, he noted that any decision is a long way off.

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

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the current federal leadership, using his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would increase the party's House seats in following redistricting by Republicans. This move has invited attacks from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor shows no concern about the state's residents in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy disclosed plans to pull taxpayer dollars from California and warned revoking the authority to issue trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," Duffy said, after a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that led to fatalities and casualties.

Newsom's office highlighted that the national authorities had reauthorized the individual's authorization multiple times, which allowed him to receive a CDL under federal law.

Duffy had previously stated he was blocking $40m from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," the governor's team said in a previous comment countering the secretary's comments. "For now, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: The state's truck drivers had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Voter Sentiment and Future Prospects

A recent study showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate said that Newsom ought to campaign for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has grown to an mean of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has fallen from an average of over 40% to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom remarked while traveling several swing states that he had "no idea" about his future for 2028.

He also referenced his earlier challenges, including being found to have a learning disability at the age of five.

"The idea that a guy who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, remarkable," he commented. "It's anyone's guess? I await who steps forward in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that is the issue for the U.S. citizens."