🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a prominent Democratic figure, has disclosed that he plans to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 congressional elections are over.

"Yes, it would be dishonest otherwise," Newsom stated when questioned about giving serious thought to a presidential run post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

Newsom's tenure as California's leader ends in early 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he emphasized that any choice is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has emerged as a notable critic of the former president's team, leveraging his digital presence and pushing a proposition that would boost the party's House seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This action has made him a target from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a recent segment on Fox News. The secretary disclosed intentions to pull taxpayer dollars from the state and warned eliminating the power to provide CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160m from California," Duffy said, following a recently reported fatal crash in the state involving an non-citizen semi truck driver that led to fatalities and injured individuals.

The governor's team highlighted that the federal government had reauthorized the individual's authorization on several occasions, which permitted him to obtain a trucking license under U.S. law.

Duffy had previously indicated he was holding back $40m from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," Newsom's office responded in a previous comment responding to the secretary's comments. "For now, 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 markedly elevated than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Political Future

A this month's survey showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate believed that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, public support for the governor has grown to an average of 33.5% from previous levels, while his unfavorability has fallen from an average of previous highs to 38.4%.

In previous months, Newsom remarked while visiting several key regions that he had "no clue" about his plans for the next presidential election.

He also referenced his personal struggles, including being found to have a learning disability at the early childhood.

"The notion that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, remarkable," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I await who presents themselves in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the voters."