🔗 Share this article

Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has disclosed that he intends to decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 elections are over.

"Absolutely, I would be lying if I said no," Newsom stated when questioned about giving serious thought to a presidential run post the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he cautioned that any choice is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

The California governor has come to the forefront as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, using his online platforms and championing a initiative that would expand Democratic congressional seats in following GOP gerrymandering. This strategy has invited attacks from political opponents.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a weekend appearance on Fox News. The secretary announced plans to withhold government money from the state and suggested eliminating the state's ability to provide CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160m from California," he stated, in the wake of a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an undocumented trucker that resulted in loss of life and four injuries.

Newsom's office noted that the national authorities had approved the worker's status multiple times, which enabled him to obtain a trucking license under federal law.

Duffy had previously announced he was holding back $40 million from the state for not enforcing language proficiency rules for truck drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp national statutes," his administration responded in a previous comment addressing the funding warnings. "For now, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Political Future

A this month's study found that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters said that the governor should run for president in 2028. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has grown to an mean of a third from approximately 30%, while his disapproval has decreased from an average of previous highs to current figures.

In previous months, Newsom remarked while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his plans for the next presidential election.

He also referenced his personal struggles, including being found to have a learning disability at the early childhood.

"The thought that a person who got 960 on his SAT, 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 commented. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who steps forward in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."