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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has revealed that he intends to decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Absolutely, I would be lying if I denied it," Newsom stated when questioned about seriously considering a campaign for president after the 2026 midterms. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's time in office as California's leader wraps up in early 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he noted that any choice is still years away.

"The future will decide," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has stepped forward as a high-profile adversary of the current federal leadership, employing his social media accounts and advocating for a ballot measure that would boost the party's representation in Congress in following GOP gerrymandering. This move has made him a target from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a weekend interview on Fox News. Duffy announced a strategy to withhold taxpayer dollars from California and suggested eliminating the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160 million from California," he said, in the wake of a recently reported deadly accident in the state involving an non-citizen semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and four injuries.

His administration pointed out that the federal government had renewed the individual's authorization multiple times, which enabled him to receive a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had before stated he was withholding $40 million from California for not enforcing English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, continues to misunderstand national statutes," the governor's team retorted in a recent statement addressing Duffy's threats. "For now, unlike this clown, we focus on reality: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Future Prospects

A recent study showed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters said that Newsom ought to campaign for the White House in the next election cycle. In recent years, public support for the governor has risen to an typical level of a third from previous levels, while his negative ratings has dropped from an average of previous highs to current figures.

Earlier this year, the governor remarked while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for 2028.

He mentioned his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The thought that a individual who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I await who presents themselves in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."