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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has disclosed that he will determine whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said no," the governor remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a White House bid following the 2026 midterms. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader wraps up in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. Yet, he cautioned that any choice is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has come to the forefront as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, using his online platforms and pushing a initiative that would expand the party's congressional seats in following redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has made him a target from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy disclosed plans to cut taxpayer dollars from the state and threatened eliminating the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," Duffy declared, following a recent fatal crash in the state involving an unauthorized commercial driver that led to fatalities and injured individuals.

Newsom's office pointed out that the national authorities had approved the individual's authorization on several occasions, which permitted him to receive a trucking license under national regulations.

Duffy had previously announced he was blocking $40m from California for failing to implement linguistic standards for truck drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a previous comment countering the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recently conducted survey revealed that a majority of the party and almost half of voters indicated that the governor should run for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has risen to an typical level of 33.5% from previous levels, while his negative ratings has fallen from an mean of previous highs to 38.4%.

In previous months, the governor stated while on a trip several swing states that he had "no idea" about his intentions for 2028.

He noted his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic at the early childhood.

"The thought that a person who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, alone, extraordinary," he commented. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who emerges in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the voters."