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Gavin Newsom, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he will decide on whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections are over.

"Yes, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor stated when pressed about contemplating a White House bid post the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's time in office as California's leader concludes in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he cautioned that any choice is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

He has stepped forward as a notable critic of the Trump administration, employing his digital presence and championing a ballot measure that would expand Democratic congressional seats in response to GOP gerrymandering. This strategy has made him a target from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom does not care about the state's residents in a Sunday segment on a major news network. The secretary disclosed plans to pull taxpayer dollars from the state and threatened revoking the authority to issue trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from California," Duffy said, after a this week's tragic collision in California involving an non-citizen commercial driver that led to three deaths and casualties.

Newsom's office noted that the federal government had reauthorized the driver's employment on several occasions, which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had previously announced he was blocking $40 million from California for not enforcing English language requirements for CDL holders.

Firm Rebuttal from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," Newsom's office responded in a recent statement countering the funding warnings. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A this month's survey found that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that Newsom ought to campaign for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has increased to an mean of about one-third from previous levels, while his disapproval has decreased from an average of over 40% to current figures.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while traveling several key regions that he had "no idea" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

He also referenced his past difficulties, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The thought that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he commented. "No one can say? I am eager to see who steps forward in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the U.S. citizens."