🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a prominent Democratic figure, has revealed that he will make a decision about whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections wrap up.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest if I said no," the governor commented when pressed about contemplating a campaign for president following the 2026 midterms. "That wouldn't be honest. And I'm not."

Newsom's tenure as governor ends in early 2027, and term limits prevent another run. Yet, he noted that any choice is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Rising Profile as a Political Adversary

The California governor has come to the forefront as a prominent opponent of the current federal leadership, using his online platforms and advocating for a proposition that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in response to GOP gerrymandering. This action has invited attacks from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a weekend interview on Fox News. Duffy announced plans to cut federal funds from the state and suggested suspending the authority to grant CDLs.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from California," Duffy declared, in the wake of a recent tragic collision in the state involving an unauthorized trucker that resulted in fatalities and injured individuals.

His administration pointed out that the national authorities had renewed the driver's employment on several occasions, which allowed him to secure a CDL under national regulations.

Duffy had previously indicated he was blocking $40 million from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand national statutes," the governor's team retorted in a last month's comment addressing the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. Texas – the single state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recently conducted study showed that a majority of the party and 48% of all registered voters believed that the governor should run for president in 2028. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has increased to an mean of 33.5% from around 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an mean of over 40% to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor commented while traveling several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for 2028.

He mentioned his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of five.

"The notion that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, extraordinary," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I'm looking forward to who emerges in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the American people."