🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a well-known Democratic figure, has indicated that he intends to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," Newsom commented when questioned about giving serious thought to a presidential run following the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader concludes in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he cautioned that any decision is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

He has stepped forward as a notable opponent of the current federal leadership, leveraging his social media accounts and advocating for a initiative that would increase the party's representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has made him a target from political opponents.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a Sunday appearance on Fox News. The secretary disclosed a strategy to pull government money from the state and threatened eliminating the authority to provide CDLs.

"I'm about to pull $160m from California," he said, after a recently reported fatal crash in the state involving an non-citizen trucker that caused three deaths and casualties.

Newsom's office highlighted that the U.S. government had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to receive a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier stated he was blocking $40 million from California for failing to implement English language requirements for truck drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand federal law," his administration responded in a recent release responding to the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: California truck drivers had a accident mortality rate much lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the sole state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A recent survey showed that a majority of the party and 48% of all registered voters said that the governor ought to campaign for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has risen to an mean of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has decreased from an average of more than 40% to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor commented while traveling several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for 2028.

He also referenced his earlier challenges, including being found to have a learning disability at the age of five.

"The idea that a individual who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the idea that you would even throw that out is, by itself, remarkable," he stated. "It's anyone's guess? I await who presents themselves in the next election and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."