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The California governor, a prominent member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he plans to determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," the governor remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a White House bid following the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as governor ends in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he noted that any choice is not imminent.

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

Increased Visibility as a Administration Opponent

He has come to the forefront as a prominent opponent of the current federal leadership, employing his online platforms and championing a proposition that would boost the party's representation in Congress in following redistricting by Republicans. This action has invited attacks from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about the state's residents in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy revealed plans to pull government money from the state and threatened revoking the authority to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160m from the state," he declared, following a recent fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized trucker that led to loss of life and four injuries.

Newsom's office highlighted that the U.S. government had reauthorized the worker's status repeatedly, which allowed him to secure a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was holding back additional funds from California for ignoring language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Governor's Office

"Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, continues to misunderstand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a previous release countering the funding warnings. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we focus on reality: California commercial driver's license holders had a death rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than California. Facts don't lie. The federal leadership misleads."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A this month's survey showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters said that the governor should run for president in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has increased to an typical level of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an mean of more than 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, Newsom stated while on a trip several battleground states that he had "no idea" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

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

"The notion that a guy 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, in and of itself, remarkable," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who answers the call. And that's the question for the American people."