🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he plans to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 elections are over.

"Yes, it would be dishonest if I denied it," Newsom remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a presidential run following the 2026 elections. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."

The governor's time in office as governor ends in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he noted that any determination is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Administration Opponent

The California governor has emerged as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, employing his online platforms and advocating for a ballot measure that would boost the party's congressional seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This move has made him a target from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent interview on Fox News. The secretary announced a strategy to withhold government money from the state and threatened revoking the authority to provide CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160m from California," he stated, following a this week's fatal crash in California involving an non-citizen trucker that caused loss of life and casualties.

His administration pointed out that the national authorities had renewed the worker's status multiple times, which enabled him to receive a commercial driver's license under federal law.

Duffy had earlier stated he was holding back $40m from California for failing to implement linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team responded in a recent comment countering the funding warnings. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: California commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate much lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Data speaks for itself. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recent study found that a majority of the party and 48% of all registered voters said that Newsom ought to campaign for the White House in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has risen to an average of 33.5% from around 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an typical level of over 40% to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, the governor stated while traveling several key regions that he had "no idea" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

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

"The idea that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was always in the back of the classroom – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "Who the hell knows? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who answers the call. And that's the question for the voters."