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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has disclosed that he will decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful otherwise," Newsom commented when questioned about contemplating a presidential run after the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

Newsom's time in office as California's leader concludes in January 2027, and term limits prevent another run. But, he emphasized that any determination is still years away.

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

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has emerged as a notable adversary of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and championing a proposition that would boost the party's representation in Congress in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has invited attacks from adversaries.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom does not care about Californians in a weekend segment on a major news network. Duffy disclosed a strategy to cut federal funds from California and suggested revoking the state's ability to issue CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160m from California," he said, following a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that resulted in loss of life and four injuries.

The governor's team noted that the U.S. government had renewed the individual's authorization on several occasions, which permitted him to secure a CDL under federal law.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was blocking $40 million from California for ignoring language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, continues to misunderstand national statutes," his administration retorted in a last month's release responding to the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recently conducted survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters said that the governor should run for the White House in 2028. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has risen to an typical level of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an average of over 40% to current figures.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while on a trip several swing states that he had "no idea" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

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

"The idea that a individual who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, remarkable," he said. "No one can say? I am eager to see who steps forward in the next election and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."