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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has revealed that he will decide on whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Yes, it would be dishonest otherwise," Newsom remarked when questioned about giving serious thought to a presidential run post the 2026 midterms. "That wouldn't be honest. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader wraps up in January 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he emphasized that any choice is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he said.

Increased Visibility as a Political Adversary

He has come to the forefront as a notable opponent of the current federal leadership, using his digital presence and advocating for a proposition that would increase the party's representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This action has made him a target from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor does not care about the state's residents in a recent appearance on Fox News. Duffy revealed intentions to pull federal funds from the state and suggested eliminating the authority to issue commercial driver's licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from the state," he said, after a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an non-citizen commercial driver that caused fatalities and four injuries.

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

Duffy had previously indicated he was withholding additional funds from California for ignoring language proficiency rules for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," Newsom's office responded in a recent statement addressing Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we rely on data: California CDL holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the single state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Facts don't lie. The federal leadership misleads."

Public Opinion and Future Prospects

A this month's survey showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that the governor should run for the White House in the next election cycle. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has grown to an typical level of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an mean of more than 40% to under 40%.

Earlier this year, the governor remarked while visiting several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his plans for 2028.

He also referenced his past difficulties, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five.

"The idea that a person 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, by itself, extraordinary," he stated. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who steps forward in the next election and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the voters."