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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has indicated that he will decide on whether to run for president in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor remarked when asked about seriously considering a White House bid after the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

Newsom's time in office as California's leader ends in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he emphasized that any decision is not imminent.

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

Rising Profile as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a high-profile adversary of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and championing a ballot measure that would boost the party's representation in Congress in as a counter to GOP gerrymandering. This action has drawn criticism from adversaries.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a weekend segment on a major news network. Duffy disclosed a strategy to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and suggested revoking the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from the state," he declared, after a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an undocumented semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and injured individuals.

His administration pointed out that the national authorities had reauthorized the driver's employment repeatedly, which allowed him to secure a trucking license under federal law.

Duffy had previously indicated he was withholding $40 million from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand federal law," Newsom's office responded in a previous release countering the secretary's comments. "For now, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted study revealed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters indicated that Newsom ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has risen to an typical level of a third from previous levels, while his disapproval has dropped from an mean of over 40% to under 40%.

Earlier this year, Newsom commented while traveling several swing states that he had "uncertainty" about his future for the next presidential election.

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

"The thought that a person who got 960 on his SAT, 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 stated. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that is the issue for the American people."