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Gavin Newsom, a prominent member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he will decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 elections wrap up.

"Absolutely, I would be lying otherwise," the governor stated when pressed about giving serious thought to a presidential run post the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."

Newsom's tenure as governor wraps up in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he noted that any decision is not imminent.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

Newsom has come to the forefront as a prominent adversary of the former president's team, using his digital presence and championing a proposition that would increase the party's House seats in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This action has made him a target from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy announced a strategy to cut government money from California and suggested eliminating the power to provide trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," Duffy declared, after a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an non-citizen trucker that caused three deaths and four injuries.

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

Duffy had earlier stated he was holding back $40 million from the state for ignoring English language requirements for truck drivers.

Pointed Reply from the Team

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand national statutes," the governor's team retorted in a last month's comment addressing the funding warnings. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: California truck drivers had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than the state. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Polling Data and Political Future

A recent survey revealed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that Newsom ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has grown to an mean of 33.5% from previous levels, while his unfavorability has decreased from an mean of previous highs to under 40%.

In previous months, Newsom remarked while visiting several key regions that he had "no idea" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

He mentioned his personal struggles, including being identified as dyslexic at the early childhood.

"The thought that a individual who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, amazing," he commented. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the U.S. citizens."