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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has indicated that he will determine whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, it would be dishonest otherwise," Newsom remarked when pressed about seriously considering a presidential run post the 2026 elections. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."

Newsom's current term as California's leader ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he noted that any decision is a long way off.

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

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

The California governor has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the former president's team, using his online platforms and championing a initiative that would increase the party's congressional seats in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This action has made him a target from adversaries.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom is indifferent about the state's residents in a recent segment on a major news network. Duffy disclosed a strategy to cut federal funds from the state and suggested suspending the state's ability to grant CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," Duffy said, after a this week's deadly accident in California involving an undocumented semi truck driver that led to three deaths and four injuries.

Newsom's office pointed out that the national authorities had renewed the individual's authorization multiple times, which enabled him to obtain a CDL under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had before announced he was holding back $40m from the state 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, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," the governor's team responded in a last month's statement responding to the funding warnings. "Meanwhile, unlike this clown, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a death rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Future Prospects

A this month's poll revealed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters indicated that the governor should run for president in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, Newsom's favorability has risen to an mean of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an typical level of over 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, Newsom stated while visiting several battleground states that he had "no idea" about his intentions for 2028.

He also referenced his earlier challenges, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The notion that a individual who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, alone, extraordinary," he stated. "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 American people."