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Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he plans to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," Newsom stated when asked about seriously considering a presidential run following the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's time in office as California's leader concludes in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he cautioned that any determination is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he remarked.

Rising Profile as a Trump Critic

He has come to the forefront as a notable opponent of the Trump administration, employing his digital presence and pushing a initiative that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in following GOP gerrymandering. This move has drawn criticism from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a Sunday interview on Fox News. The secretary announced a strategy to withhold federal funds from the state and warned suspending the state's ability to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160 million from the state," Duffy said, following a recent deadly accident in the state involving an undocumented semi truck driver that resulted in loss of life and casualties.

Newsom's office highlighted that the federal government had reauthorized the driver's employment repeatedly, which allowed him to receive a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had previously stated he was holding back additional funds from California for ignoring English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Governor's Office

"One-time television figure, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," Newsom's office retorted in a previous statement addressing Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, unlike this clown, we rely on data: The state's CDL holders had a death rate much lower than the national average. Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Polling Data and Future Prospects

A recently conducted study showed that a majority of the party and almost half of voters believed that Newsom ought to campaign for the White House in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has risen to an average of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has fallen from an typical level of over 40% to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor stated while visiting several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his future for 2028.

He also referenced his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic 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 – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, amazing," he stated. "No one can say? I await who emerges in the next election and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the voters."