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The California governor, a well-known Democratic figure, has indicated that he will make a decision about whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections are over.

"Absolutely, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor remarked when questioned about giving serious thought to a presidential run following the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's time in office as governor concludes in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he emphasized that any decision is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a high-profile adversary of the former president's team, using his digital presence and championing a proposition that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in following redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has invited attacks from political opponents.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a Sunday appearance on Fox News. Duffy disclosed intentions to cut taxpayer dollars from the state and threatened revoking the power to issue trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," Duffy stated, after a this week's fatal crash in California involving an undocumented trucker that caused fatalities and casualties.

Newsom's office pointed out that the U.S. government had reauthorized the driver's employment multiple times, which enabled him to secure a CDL under national regulations.

Duffy had previously announced he was holding back additional funds from California for failing to implement language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team said in a recent release countering Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: California truck drivers had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Political Future

A this month's survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters believed that Newsom must consider running for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has grown to an typical level of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an average of more than 40% to under 40%.

Earlier this year, Newsom remarked while traveling several key regions that he had "no idea" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The idea that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, remarkable," he said. "No one can say? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who answers the call. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."