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Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has revealed that he will determine whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 following the 2026 elections are over.

"Yes, it would be dishonest if I denied it," Newsom commented when asked about seriously considering a campaign for president post the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as California's leader concludes in January 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he emphasized that any determination is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he remarked.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

He has stepped forward as a prominent critic of the Trump administration, employing his social media accounts and pushing a initiative that would increase Democratic congressional seats in following GOP gerrymandering. This move has invited attacks from critics.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy revealed a strategy to withhold government money from California and warned revoking the power to issue commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," he declared, after a recent tragic collision in the state involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that led to fatalities and injured individuals.

The governor's team pointed out that the U.S. government had renewed the worker's status on several occasions, which permitted him to secure a trucking license under federal law.

Duffy had previously indicated he was holding back $40 million from California for ignoring language proficiency rules for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," his administration said in a recent statement countering the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: California CDL holders had a accident mortality 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 the state. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Future Prospects

A recent poll revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters indicated that the governor should run for the White House in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has risen to an mean of 33.5% from previous levels, while his unfavorability has fallen from an mean of more than 40% to under 40%.

In previous months, the governor commented while on a trip several swing states that he had "no clue" about his future for 2028.

He mentioned his earlier challenges, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of five.

"The notion that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was typically not at the front – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he commented. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who presents themselves in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."