California's Governor Acknowledges He Is Weighing a White House Bid in 2028
Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has revealed that he plans to determine whether to run for president in 2028 once the 2026 elections are over.
"Absolutely, I would be lying if I said no," the governor remarked when pressed about seriously considering a presidential run following the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."
Newsom's current term as governor concludes in January 2027, and term limits prevent another run. But, he emphasized that any determination is not imminent.
"It's up to destiny," he added.
Rising Profile as a Political Adversary
He has emerged as a prominent adversary of the current federal leadership, leveraging his online platforms and pushing a ballot measure that would boost the party's representation in Congress in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has invited attacks from adversaries.
Federal Funding Dispute
Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that Newsom shows no concern about Californians in a weekend interview on a major news network. The secretary announced a strategy to withhold taxpayer dollars from California and suggested revoking the power to issue commercial driver's licenses.
"I intend to cut a significant sum from the state," he said, in the wake of a this week's deadly accident in California involving an unauthorized trucker that caused fatalities and injured individuals.
His administration pointed out that the federal government had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which permitted him to secure a trucking license under U.S. law.
Duffy had earlier stated he was holding back $40 million from the state for ignoring English language requirements for CDL holders.
Strong Response from the Governor's Office
"One-time television figure, now transportation chief, continues to misunderstand national statutes," Newsom's office retorted in a previous comment responding to the funding warnings. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: California CDL holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Statistics are clear. The federal leadership misleads."
Public Opinion and Future Prospects
A recently conducted poll showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate believed that Newsom should run for the White House in 2028. In recent years, public support for the governor has increased to an typical level of a third from approximately 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an typical level of previous highs to under 40%.
Some time ago, Newsom remarked while traveling several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for 2028.
He mentioned his earlier challenges, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of five.
"The notion that a guy who had modest test scores, who continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – that such a possibility is discussed is, by itself, extraordinary," he said. "Who the hell knows? I await who steps forward in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the voters."