🔗 Share this article

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

"Yes, it would be dishonest otherwise," the governor remarked when pressed about seriously considering a presidential run after the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in January 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he emphasized that any determination is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Increased Visibility as a Administration Opponent

The California governor has emerged as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, leveraging his social media accounts and advocating for a initiative that would boost the party's House seats in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This action has invited attacks from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a Sunday segment on Fox News. Duffy revealed intentions to cut taxpayer dollars from California and threatened revoking the authority to provide CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," he declared, after a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that caused loss of life and casualties.

His administration highlighted that the national authorities had approved the driver's employment repeatedly, which permitted him to obtain a CDL under federal law.

Duffy had previously announced he was withholding additional funds from the state for ignoring language proficiency rules for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, continues to misunderstand federal law," Newsom's office retorted in a recent comment addressing the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: The state's truck drivers had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A this month's study showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in 2028. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has grown to an average of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an mean of over 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, Newsom commented while on a trip several key regions that he had "no idea" about his intentions for 2028.

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 typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, amazing," he stated. "No one can say? I await who steps forward in 2028 and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the voters."