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Gavin Newsom, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he plans to make a decision about whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 once the 2026 elections are over.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said no," the governor remarked when questioned about contemplating a presidential run post the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he cautioned that any determination is a long way off.

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

Increased Visibility as a Political Adversary

He has come to the forefront as a prominent adversary of the Trump administration, employing his social media accounts and championing a ballot measure that would boost the party's House seats in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has invited attacks from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor does not care about the state's residents in a recent appearance on Fox News. Duffy revealed plans to withhold government money from the state and suggested revoking the authority to provide CDLs.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from California," he stated, in the wake of a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an non-citizen trucker that caused fatalities and injured individuals.

The governor's team noted that the federal government had approved the worker's status on several occasions, which permitted him to secure a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

The transportation secretary had before announced he was withholding $40 million from the state for ignoring language proficiency rules for truck drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand federal law," Newsom's office responded in a last month's statement responding to Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recent survey showed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that the governor must consider running for the White House in 2028. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has risen to an mean of 33.5% from previous levels, while his disapproval has fallen from an typical level of more than 40% to 38.4%.

In previous months, Newsom stated while on a trip several swing states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

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

"The thought that a person who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, remarkable," he commented. "No one can say? I am eager to see who steps forward in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the American people."