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

"Absolutely, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor commented when pressed about seriously considering a campaign for president post the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as governor ends in January 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he emphasized that any determination is still years away.

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

Growing Prominence as a Political Adversary

He has come to the forefront as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and pushing a ballot measure that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in following GOP gerrymandering. This strategy has invited attacks from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom is indifferent about the state's residents in a weekend interview on a major news network. Duffy revealed intentions to cut federal funds from California and suggested suspending the power to issue CDLs.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from the state," he stated, after a recent deadly accident in the state involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and casualties.

The governor's team highlighted that the U.S. government had reauthorized the individual's authorization multiple times, which enabled him to receive a trucking license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had earlier announced he was withholding additional funds from California for ignoring language proficiency rules for truck drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand national statutes," Newsom's office retorted in a last month's statement addressing the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: California CDL holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recently conducted survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has grown to an typical level of a third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has fallen from an typical level of previous highs to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while on a trip several swing states that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

He noted his personal struggles, including being found to have a learning disability at the young age of five.

"The thought that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, amazing," he stated. "No one can say? I await who emerges in the next election and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the voters."