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The California governor, a prominent Democratic figure, has disclosed that he will decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 congressional elections wrap up.

"Absolutely, it would be dishonest if I said no," the governor stated when pressed about seriously considering a presidential run post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

The governor's tenure as governor ends in early 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he cautioned that any choice is still years away.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

The California governor has stepped forward as a prominent opponent of the current federal leadership, employing his social media accounts and advocating for a ballot measure that would expand Democratic House seats in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has invited attacks from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy disclosed intentions to cut taxpayer dollars from California and suggested eliminating the authority to issue trucking licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160m from the state," Duffy declared, after a recently reported deadly accident in California involving an undocumented trucker that led to three deaths and four injuries.

The governor's team pointed out that the federal government had approved the worker's status repeatedly, which enabled him to secure a CDL under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had previously indicated he was withholding $40 million from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," the governor's team retorted in a last month's comment addressing Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: The state's CDL holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the sole state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations

A this month's survey showed that a majority of the party and a significant portion of the electorate said that Newsom should run for president in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, Newsom's favorability has increased to an typical level of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an typical level of previous highs to under 40%.

In previous months, the governor commented while visiting several key regions that he had "no idea" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The idea that a person who had modest test scores, who continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he stated. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who steps forward in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."