🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a prominent Democratic figure, has indicated that he plans to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 after the 2026 congressional elections conclude.

"Absolutely, it would be dishonest otherwise," Newsom stated when pressed about seriously considering a campaign for president after the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as governor concludes in January 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he cautioned that any decision is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Rising Profile as a Trump Critic

Newsom has stepped forward as a notable opponent of the current federal leadership, leveraging his online platforms and pushing a initiative that would increase Democratic congressional seats in response to GOP gerrymandering. This action has drawn criticism from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom does not care about the state's residents in a weekend segment on Fox News. The secretary announced plans to withhold taxpayer dollars from California and warned revoking the state's ability to grant commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut $160m from California," he declared, in the wake of a this week's fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that caused loss of life and casualties.

The governor's team pointed out that the U.S. government had reauthorized the individual's authorization multiple times, which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

Duffy had previously announced he was blocking additional funds from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," his administration responded in a recent statement responding to the secretary's comments. "For now, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. Texas – the sole state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Statistics are clear. 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 the governor must consider running for president in 2028. After the current administration began, Newsom's favorability has increased to an mean of about one-third from around 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an typical level of previous highs to under 40%.

Earlier this year, Newsom stated while visiting several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his future for the next presidential election.

He mentioned 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 always in the back of the classroom – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, remarkable," he stated. "It's anyone's guess? I await who emerges in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the U.S. citizens."