🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a leading member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he will decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yes, I would be lying otherwise," the governor stated when questioned about contemplating a presidential run post the 2026 ballots. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he noted that any choice is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he remarked.

Rising Profile as a Trump Critic

The California governor has come to the forefront as a prominent critic of the former president's team, using his social media accounts and championing a ballot measure that would boost the party's representation in Congress in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This action has drawn criticism from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a Sunday segment on a major news network. Duffy announced intentions to cut federal funds from California and suggested revoking the power to grant trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut a significant sum from the state," he declared, after a recent fatal crash in the state involving an unauthorized commercial driver that led to fatalities and injured individuals.

His administration pointed out that the federal government had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to receive a CDL under U.S. law.

The transportation secretary had before announced he was blocking $40m from California for not enforcing linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"Ex-reality TV personality, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp federal law," his administration said in a previous comment addressing Duffy's threats. "For now, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: California commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Statistics are clear. The Trump administration does."

Polling Data and Campaign Considerations

A recent study found that a majority of the party and almost half of voters believed that Newsom should run for the White House in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, public support for the governor has grown to an average of a third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an average of more than 40% to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor commented while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his future for the next presidential election.

He noted his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.

"The idea that a guy who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, remarkable," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I await who presents themselves in the next election and who answers the call. And that's the question for the voters."