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Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has indicated that he intends to make a decision about whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections wrap up.

"Absolutely, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor commented when asked about contemplating a campaign for president following the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

The governor's tenure as governor wraps up in January 2027, and term limits prevent another run. But, he emphasized that any choice is still years away.

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

Increased Visibility as a Administration Opponent

He has emerged as a prominent adversary of the Trump administration, using his digital presence and championing a initiative that would boost Democratic congressional seats in as a counter to Republican redistricting efforts. This move has invited attacks from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor does not care about Californians in a weekend interview on Fox News. The secretary disclosed plans to pull government money from the state and warned suspending the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160 million from the state," Duffy declared, following a recent tragic collision in California involving an non-citizen commercial driver that resulted in fatalities and injured individuals.

The governor's team noted that the federal government had approved the individual's authorization on several occasions, which permitted him to receive a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

The transportation secretary had before stated he was holding back $40 million from the state for failing to implement English language requirements for CDL holders.

Firm Rebuttal from the Governor's Office

"Ex-reality TV personality, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," his administration retorted in a recent statement countering Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's CDL holders had a death rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Future Prospects

A recent poll revealed that a majority of the party and almost half of voters believed that Newsom ought to campaign for president in the next election cycle. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has increased to an average of a third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has decreased from an average of more than 40% to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom remarked while on a trip several swing states that he had "uncertainty" about his future for the next presidential election.

He mentioned his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The thought that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – that such a possibility is discussed is, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "It's anyone's guess? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."