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The California governor, a well-known Democratic figure, has disclosed that he will determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 elections conclude.

"Absolutely, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor commented when pressed about contemplating a presidential run post the 2026 elections. "I'd just be lying. And I can't do that."

The governor's current term as governor wraps up in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he emphasized that any decision is still years away.

"It's up to destiny," he remarked.

Rising Profile as a Administration Opponent

The California governor has emerged as a high-profile critic of the Trump administration, using his social media accounts and championing a ballot measure that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has drawn criticism from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy revealed a strategy to cut taxpayer dollars from California and threatened revoking the state's ability to provide CDLs.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from California," Duffy stated, following a recent tragic collision in the state involving an unauthorized commercial driver that caused three deaths and four injuries.

His administration noted that the federal government had renewed the driver's employment repeatedly, which enabled him to receive a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was withholding $40m from California for ignoring English language requirements for truck drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," his administration said in a last month's statement countering the secretary's comments. "For now, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: California CDL holders had a death rate much lower than the U.S. average. The state of Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recently conducted poll found that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters said that the governor should run for the White House in 2028. In recent years, public support for the governor has risen to an average of about one-third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has decreased from an mean of previous highs to current figures.

Earlier this year, the governor stated while visiting several key regions that he had "no clue" about his plans for the next presidential election.

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

"The thought that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, extraordinary," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who steps forward in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that is the issue for the U.S. citizens."