California's Governor States He Is Evaluating a Presidential Campaign for 2028
The California governor, a well-known Democratic figure, has disclosed that he intends to decide on whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.
"Absolutely, I would be lying if I said no," Newsom remarked when asked about contemplating a White House bid post the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."
The governor's current term as governor concludes in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. Yet, he emphasized that any decision is a long way off.
"The future will decide," he added.
Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic
He has stepped forward as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and championing a proposition that would expand the party's House seats in as a counter to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has drawn criticism from adversaries.
Controversy Over Funds
The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom shows no concern about the state's residents in a recent segment on Fox News. Duffy announced plans to pull federal funds from California and threatened eliminating the state's ability to issue commercial driver's licenses.
"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," he declared, following a recent fatal crash in the state involving an undocumented commercial driver that caused three deaths and injured individuals.
Newsom's office noted that the U.S. government had reauthorized the individual's authorization multiple times, which enabled him to obtain a CDL under U.S. law.
The transportation secretary had before indicated he was withholding additional funds from California for ignoring English language requirements for truck drivers.
Pointed Reply from the Team
"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, fails to grasp federal law," the governor's team said in a last month's comment responding to Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we rely on data: The state's CDL holders had a fatal crash rate much lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the single state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."
Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations
A this month's study showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate said that the governor should run for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, public support for the governor has increased to an typical level of about one-third from previous levels, while his unfavorability has decreased from an mean of previous highs to 38.4%.
In previous months, Newsom commented while traveling several battleground states that he had "uncertainty" about his intentions for 2028.
He noted his past difficulties, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.
"The thought that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was always in the back of the classroom – that such a possibility is discussed is, by itself, amazing," he said. "Who the hell knows? I'm looking forward to who emerges in 2028 and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the American people."