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Gavin Newsom, a leading Democratic figure, has revealed that he will decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 elections are over.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest otherwise," the governor stated when pressed about seriously considering a White House bid following the 2026 ballots. "That wouldn't be honest. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as governor concludes in early 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he cautioned that any determination is not imminent.

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

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

The California governor has come to the forefront as a notable opponent of the former president's team, leveraging his social media accounts and pushing a initiative that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in following redistricting by Republicans. This action has invited attacks from political opponents.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a Sunday interview on Fox News. The secretary disclosed intentions to withhold federal funds from California and threatened revoking the state's ability to issue trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw a significant sum from the state," he said, following a recently reported deadly accident in the state involving an undocumented semi truck driver that caused three deaths and casualties.

Newsom's office pointed out that the national authorities had approved the driver's employment multiple times, which allowed him to receive a CDL under federal law.

The transportation secretary had previously announced he was holding back additional funds from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," Newsom's office responded in a recent release addressing the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we rely on data: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate substantially higher than the state. Data speaks for itself. This administration is dishonest."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A recent study showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that the governor ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has grown to an average of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an average of previous highs to current figures.

In previous months, the governor remarked while on a trip several battleground states that he had "no idea" about his future for 2028.

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

"The thought that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, remarkable," he stated. "No one can say? I await who steps forward in 2028 and who answers the call. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."