🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a leading member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he plans to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 elections wrap up.

"Absolutely, I would be lying if I said no," the governor stated when questioned about contemplating a campaign for president following the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as California's leader wraps up in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he cautioned that any decision is not imminent.

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

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

He has emerged as a notable opponent of the Trump administration, employing his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would increase the party's representation in Congress in following redistricting by Republicans. This move has drawn criticism from critics.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent segment on a major news network. Duffy disclosed plans to withhold federal funds from the state and suggested suspending the state's ability to provide trucking licenses.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from the state," he stated, after a recently reported tragic collision in the state involving an unauthorized trucker that caused fatalities and casualties.

The governor's team noted that the national authorities had reauthorized the worker's status multiple times, which allowed him to receive a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had before stated he was blocking $40 million from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, fails to grasp federal law," the governor's team responded in a recent statement countering Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we rely on data: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a death rate much lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the sole state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Future Prospects

A recent survey showed that a majority of the party and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, Newsom's favorability has increased to an mean of about one-third from around 30%, while his disapproval has dropped from an average of previous highs to 38.4%.

In previous months, Newsom commented while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for 2028.

He noted his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The thought that a guy who had modest test scores, who continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – the idea that you would even throw that out is, by itself, amazing," he commented. "No one can say? I await who emerges in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."