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Gavin Newsom, a well-known Democratic figure, has indicated that he intends to determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 after the 2026 elections are over.

"Absolutely, I would be lying if I said no," the governor commented when pressed about seriously considering a campaign for president following the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader concludes in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he emphasized that any determination is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

Newsom has stepped forward as a notable opponent of the former president's team, using his social media accounts and advocating for a proposition that would boost Democratic House seats in as a counter to GOP gerrymandering. This action has invited attacks from critics.

Clash on Transportation

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom is indifferent about Californians in a Sunday interview on Fox News. The secretary disclosed a strategy to withhold taxpayer dollars from the state and warned eliminating the power to grant commercial driver's licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160 million from the state," he stated, after a this week's tragic collision in California involving an non-citizen trucker that resulted in fatalities and casualties.

His administration highlighted that the U.S. government had renewed the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to receive a trucking license under national regulations.

Duffy had before stated he was holding back $40m from the state for ignoring linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," his administration responded in a previous comment addressing the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: The state's truck drivers had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Public Opinion and Future Prospects

A recent study showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters believed that Newsom should run for the White House in 2028. In recent years, his approval ratings has risen to an average of 33.5% from around 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an average of more than 40% to current figures.

Some time ago, the governor stated while visiting several swing states that he had "no clue" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The thought that a person who had modest test scores, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, amazing," he said. "Who the hell knows? I await who steps forward in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the American people."