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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has revealed that he plans to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections conclude.

"Yes, I would be lying otherwise," the governor remarked when questioned about seriously considering a campaign for president after the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

Newsom's tenure as governor concludes in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he emphasized that any decision is still years away.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

He has stepped forward as a notable adversary of the Trump administration, leveraging his online platforms and advocating for a initiative that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This move has invited attacks from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a weekend interview on Fox News. The secretary revealed a strategy to withhold government money from California and warned revoking the power to grant trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from California," Duffy said, following a recently reported tragic collision in California involving an undocumented commercial driver that led to fatalities and four injuries.

His administration highlighted that the national authorities had reauthorized the driver's employment on several occasions, which permitted him to receive a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

Duffy had earlier announced he was holding back $40 million from the state for failing to implement linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team responded in a previous release countering the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's CDL holders had a death rate much lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A this month's survey showed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters indicated that the governor ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, public support for the governor has increased to an average of a third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an typical level of previous highs to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor commented while visiting several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his future for the next presidential election.

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

"The notion 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, alone, remarkable," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I'm looking forward to who steps forward in the next election and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the American people."