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Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has indicated that he intends to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 congressional elections are over.

"Yeah, I would be lying if I denied it," Newsom commented when questioned about seriously considering a presidential run post the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."

Newsom's time in office as governor ends in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he noted that any decision is a long way off.

"The future will decide," he said.

Rising Profile as a Political Adversary

Newsom has come to the forefront as a notable opponent of the current federal leadership, employing his online platforms and championing a ballot measure that would boost the party's congressional seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has made him a target from adversaries.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom shows no concern about Californians in a Sunday appearance on Fox News. The secretary revealed a strategy to withhold federal funds from the state and threatened eliminating the state's ability to provide CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," Duffy declared, following a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an undocumented semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and injured individuals.

His administration pointed out that the national authorities had renewed the driver's employment multiple times, which enabled him to secure a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

Duffy had previously announced he was holding back $40m from California for ignoring linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, continues to misunderstand U.S. regulations," Newsom's office said in a previous comment responding to the funding warnings. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California CDL holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the sole state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than California. Data speaks for itself. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A this month's study revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters said that the governor ought to campaign for the White House in the next election cycle. In recent years, public support for the governor has grown to an typical level of about one-third from around 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an average of previous highs to 38.4%.

In previous months, the governor remarked while on a trip several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The thought that a person who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "No one can say? I am eager to see who emerges in 2028 and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the voters."