Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has indicated that he intends to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 elections conclude.
"Yes, I would be lying if I denied it," the governor commented when pressed about contemplating a presidential run following the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I'm not."
The governor's current term as governor ends in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. Yet, he cautioned that any determination is a long way off.
"It's up to destiny," he said.
He has stepped forward as a high-profile critic of the Trump administration, using his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would expand the party's House seats in following redistricting by Republicans. This move has made him a target from critics.
Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy announced plans to pull taxpayer dollars from California and suggested eliminating the authority to provide CDLs.
"I plan to withdraw $160 million from California," Duffy stated, in the wake of a recent fatal crash in California involving an non-citizen commercial driver that caused loss of life and injured individuals.
The governor's team pointed out that the national authorities had reauthorized the individual's authorization on several occasions, which allowed him to receive a CDL under national regulations.
Duffy had earlier announced he was blocking $40m from California for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.
"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a last month's comment countering Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the sole state with more commercial holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Facts don't lie. The federal leadership misleads."
A this month's poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate said that Newsom ought to campaign for president in 2028. After the current administration began, Newsom's favorability has increased to an average of about one-third from previous levels, while his unfavorability has decreased from an mean of over 40% to under 40%.
Earlier this year, Newsom stated while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for the next presidential election.
He noted his earlier challenges, including being identified as dyslexic at the age of five.
"The thought that a guy 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, in and of itself, remarkable," he stated. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who steps forward in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the American people."
