🔗 Share this article

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

"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor commented when asked about seriously considering a presidential run following the 2026 midterms. "I'd just be lying. And I can't do that."

The governor's time in office as California's leader concludes in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he emphasized that any choice is still years away.

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

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

He has emerged as a high-profile adversary of the Trump administration, leveraging his digital presence and advocating for a ballot measure that would expand the party's representation in Congress in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has invited attacks from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent interview on a major news network. The secretary disclosed intentions to cut government money from the state and threatened revoking the state's ability to issue commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from California," Duffy stated, in the wake of a this week's fatal crash in California involving an undocumented trucker that resulted in loss of life and casualties.

The governor's team highlighted that the federal government had approved the driver's employment multiple times, which permitted him to obtain a trucking license under federal law.

Duffy had earlier stated he was blocking $40 million from the state for not enforcing language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand federal law," his administration responded in a last month's statement addressing the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a death rate much lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Political Future

A this month's study showed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that the governor should run for the White House in 2028. In recent years, his approval ratings has increased to an mean of about one-third from around 30%, while his disapproval has fallen from an mean of previous highs to 38.4%.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while traveling several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for 2028.

He also referenced his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The idea that a individual who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was often seated at the back – the idea that you would even throw that out is, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "Who the hell knows? I await who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the voters."