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Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has indicated that he will determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," the governor commented when pressed about contemplating a presidential run following the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he emphasized that any decision is a long way off.

"The future will decide," he added.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has come to the forefront as a notable opponent of the Trump administration, employing his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in as a counter to Republican redistricting efforts. This move has drawn criticism from critics.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about Californians in a recent appearance on a major news network. Duffy disclosed a strategy to withhold government money from California and threatened eliminating the power to provide CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160m from the state," Duffy said, following a recent fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that caused loss of life and injured individuals.

His administration highlighted that the national authorities had renewed the driver's employment multiple times, which enabled him to receive a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

Duffy had previously indicated he was holding back $40 million from the state for ignoring linguistic standards for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," the governor's team responded in a previous release addressing Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the single state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Statistics are clear. The federal leadership misleads."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recent poll found that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that Newsom should run for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, his approval ratings has increased to an typical level of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has decreased from an mean of more than 40% to current figures.

In previous months, the governor remarked while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his plans for 2028.

He also referenced his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The thought that a person who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, amazing," he said. "Who the hell knows? I await who emerges in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that is the issue for the voters."