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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has revealed that he will decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections wrap up.

"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful otherwise," the governor remarked when pressed about seriously considering a campaign for president after the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

Newsom's tenure as California's leader wraps up in early 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he cautioned that any determination is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has come to the forefront as a high-profile adversary of the current federal leadership, leveraging his digital presence and championing a ballot measure that would increase the party's congressional seats in response to GOP gerrymandering. This action has invited attacks from adversaries.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor does not care about Californians in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy announced intentions to pull government money from the state and warned revoking the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from California," he said, in the wake of a recent tragic collision in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that caused three deaths and casualties.

Newsom's office pointed out that the federal government had renewed the worker's status multiple times, which allowed him to receive a commercial driver's license under federal law.

The transportation secretary had before announced he was holding back $40m from the state for ignoring English language requirements for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand federal law," Newsom's office said in a recent release responding to 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 significantly lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recently conducted study showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate believed that the governor ought to campaign for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has grown to an average of 33.5% from previous levels, while his negative ratings has decreased from an mean of previous highs to current figures.

Some time ago, the governor commented while traveling several swing states that he had "no idea" about his intentions for 2028.

He mentioned 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 continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – the idea that you would even throw that out is, alone, amazing," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the voters."