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Gavin Newsom, a leading Democratic figure, has indicated that he plans to determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections are over.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest if I denied it," Newsom commented when questioned about seriously considering a presidential run after the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he noted that any determination is a long way off.

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

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

He has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and pushing a initiative that would increase Democratic congressional seats in response to GOP gerrymandering. This action has made him a target from critics.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom does not care about the state's residents in a weekend interview on a major news network. Duffy disclosed plans to cut federal funds from the state and threatened revoking the state's ability to provide trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," Duffy stated, following a this week's deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that led to loss of life and four injuries.

Newsom's office noted that the U.S. government had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to secure a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had earlier indicated he was holding back $40 million from the state for failing to implement linguistic standards for commercial drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Governor's Office

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, continues to misunderstand national statutes," his administration said in a recent statement addressing Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California CDL holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recently conducted study showed that a majority of the party and a significant portion of the electorate said that the governor ought to campaign for the White House in 2028. In recent years, his approval ratings has grown to an average of a third from previous levels, while his disapproval has dropped from an mean of previous highs to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom stated while on a trip several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for the next presidential election.

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

"The notion that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was always in the back of the classroom – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I'm looking forward to who steps forward in the next election and who answers the call. And that's the question for the voters."