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The California governor, a well-known Democratic figure, has disclosed that he plans to decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said no," the governor commented when asked about contemplating a campaign for president post the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. Yet, he noted that any decision is still years away.

"It's up to destiny," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

He has stepped forward as a prominent critic of the Trump administration, using his digital presence and pushing a initiative that would expand the party's House seats in following GOP gerrymandering. This action has invited attacks from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a recent segment on a major news network. The secretary announced intentions to pull government money from the state and suggested revoking the authority to grant trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160m from California," he said, following a this week's deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that led to fatalities and casualties.

His administration pointed out that the national authorities had renewed the driver's employment multiple times, which permitted him to obtain a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier announced he was withholding $40m from California for not enforcing language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," the governor's team said in a previous statement countering Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's CDL holders had a fatal crash rate much lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the sole state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than the state. Facts don't lie. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Political Future

A this month's study found that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that the governor must consider running for the White House in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, public support for the governor has increased to an average of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has fallen from an average of previous highs to 38.4%.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his future for 2028.

He also referenced his personal struggles, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The idea that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – that such a possibility is discussed is, alone, amazing," he commented. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who steps forward in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the American people."