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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 following the 2026 congressional elections wrap up.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said no," the governor stated when pressed about contemplating a campaign for president after the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

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

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Increased Visibility as a Administration Opponent

He has emerged as a notable critic of the current federal leadership, leveraging his digital presence and pushing a proposition that would boost the party's congressional seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has drawn criticism from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor does not care about Californians in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy announced plans to withhold government money from the state and suggested eliminating the state's ability to provide trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from California," Duffy said, after a recently reported tragic collision in California involving an undocumented trucker that caused loss of life and four injuries.

The governor's team pointed out that the national authorities had reauthorized the individual's authorization on several occasions, which enabled him to obtain a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

Duffy had previously announced he was withholding $40m from California for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp national statutes," his administration said in a previous release addressing the funding warnings. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we rely on data: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a death rate much lower than the national average. Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Facts don't lie. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A this month's poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters said that Newsom must consider running for the White House in the next election cycle. In recent years, public support for the governor has risen to an mean of a third from previous levels, while his unfavorability has fallen from an mean of previous highs to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while traveling several swing states that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for the next presidential election.

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

"The idea that a individual who got 960 on his SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, amazing," he commented. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who answers the call. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."