🔗 Share this article

Gavin Newsom, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he intends to decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 following the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yes, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor stated when questioned about contemplating a presidential run after the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

Newsom's time in office as governor concludes in early 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he emphasized that any decision is a long way off.

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

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

Newsom has emerged as a notable critic of the former president's team, leveraging his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would expand the party's representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has made him a target from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor does not care about Californians in a recent appearance on Fox News. The secretary announced intentions to withhold government money from California and suggested eliminating the authority to provide CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," he stated, in the wake of a recently reported tragic collision in the state involving an undocumented commercial driver that resulted in three deaths and four injuries.

The governor's team pointed out that the U.S. government had approved the individual's authorization on several occasions, which allowed him to obtain a trucking license under national regulations.

Duffy had before stated he was withholding $40m from California for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a previous comment addressing the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: California truck drivers had a fatal crash rate much lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted poll showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that the governor ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, his approval ratings has grown to an typical level of a third from previous levels, while his disapproval has decreased from an typical level of more than 40% to current figures.

Some time ago, the governor stated while traveling several swing states that he had "no idea" about his future for the next presidential election.

He mentioned his past difficulties, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The thought that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, by itself, amazing," he commented. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who steps forward in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the American people."