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Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has revealed that he will determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yes, it would be dishonest if I said no," the governor commented when asked about contemplating a White House bid following the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I won't do that."

The governor's tenure as governor ends in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he emphasized that any determination is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

He has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and pushing a proposition that would expand Democratic congressional seats in following GOP gerrymandering. This strategy has made him a target from critics.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about Californians in a recent appearance on Fox News. The secretary disclosed plans to withhold government money from the state and suggested suspending the power to grant commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," Duffy stated, following a this week's deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and injured individuals.

His administration noted that the U.S. government had approved the driver's employment on several occasions, which enabled him to obtain a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had previously indicated he was holding back additional funds from the state for ignoring English language requirements for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, fails to grasp federal law," Newsom's office said in a last month's statement responding to the funding warnings. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California truck drivers had a fatal crash rate much lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted survey revealed that a majority of the party and almost half of voters said that Newsom ought to campaign for the White House in 2028. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has increased to an mean of a third from around 30%, while his disapproval has decreased from an mean of over 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, the governor stated while visiting several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his future for 2028.

He mentioned his earlier challenges, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five.

"The thought that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, alone, extraordinary," he stated. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the voters."