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Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has disclosed that he intends to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest if I denied it," Newsom stated when questioned about giving serious thought to a campaign for president post the 2026 midterms. "That wouldn't be honest. And I'm not."

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

"The future will decide," he said.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

Newsom has stepped forward as a prominent critic of the current federal leadership, using his social media accounts and advocating for a ballot measure that would increase Democratic congressional seats in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This move has invited attacks from critics.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor does not care about Californians in a recent interview on a major news network. Duffy revealed intentions to withhold federal funds from the state and suggested revoking the power to grant commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut $160m from the state," he stated, following a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an undocumented semi truck driver that caused three deaths and four injuries.

The governor's team highlighted that the federal government had renewed the individual's authorization on several occasions, which allowed him to obtain a trucking license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had before indicated he was withholding $40m from California for failing to implement linguistic standards for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp federal law," the governor's team responded in a recent statement countering Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we rely on data: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the sole state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Data speaks for itself. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recent survey revealed that a majority of the party and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that the governor ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, public support for the governor has risen to an average of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an typical level of previous highs to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, the governor remarked while traveling several swing states that he had "no idea" about his future for the next presidential election.

He mentioned his past difficulties, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of five.

"The idea that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, extraordinary," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who emerges in 2028 and who answers the call. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."