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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has revealed that he will determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Absolutely, it would be dishonest otherwise," the governor stated when pressed about seriously considering a White House bid following the 2026 midterms. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he noted that any decision is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

He has emerged as a prominent critic of the current federal leadership, using his social media accounts and pushing a ballot measure that would boost the party's congressional seats in as a counter to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has drawn criticism from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about the state's residents in a weekend appearance on a major news network. The secretary disclosed plans to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and threatened eliminating the state's ability to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160m from the state," he declared, in the wake of a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that resulted in fatalities and injured individuals.

Newsom's office highlighted that the federal government had approved the driver's employment repeatedly, which permitted him to receive a trucking license under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was blocking additional funds from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, fails to grasp national statutes," his administration retorted in a last month's statement countering the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a death rate nearly 40% lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A recent poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters believed that Newsom must consider running for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has risen to an typical level of 33.5% from previous levels, while his disapproval has dropped from an mean of previous highs to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom stated while on a trip several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The thought that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I await who presents themselves in the next election and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."