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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has revealed that he will make a decision about whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 congressional elections conclude.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful otherwise," the governor remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a White House bid post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

The governor's current term as governor concludes in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he emphasized that any choice is a long way off.

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

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

Newsom has stepped forward as a notable critic of the current federal leadership, leveraging his digital presence and championing a proposition that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in response to GOP gerrymandering. This move has drawn criticism from critics.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom shows no concern about the state's residents in a Sunday appearance on Fox News. Duffy disclosed plans to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and warned suspending the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160m from the state," Duffy stated, in the wake of a recent deadly accident in California involving an undocumented trucker that led to fatalities and injured individuals.

Newsom's office highlighted that the U.S. government had renewed the individual's authorization on several occasions, which enabled him to obtain a trucking license under federal law.

The transportation secretary had earlier stated he was blocking $40 million from California for ignoring English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Administration

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a last month's comment addressing the secretary's comments. "For now, unlike this clown, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A this month's survey showed that 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters indicated that the governor ought to campaign for president in 2028. In recent years, his approval ratings has grown to an typical level of about one-third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an mean of previous highs to under 40%.

In previous months, the governor commented while on a trip several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for 2028.

He mentioned his personal struggles, including being identified as dyslexic at the age of five.

"The notion that a person who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was always in the back of the classroom – that such a possibility is discussed is, by itself, extraordinary," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I await who steps forward in the next election and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."