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Gavin Newsom, a leading Democratic figure, has disclosed that he intends to determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said no," the governor commented when questioned about giving serious thought to a White House bid post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader ends in January 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he noted that any choice is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he said.

Growing Prominence as a Administration Opponent

Newsom has come to the forefront as a high-profile critic of the former president's team, leveraging his digital presence and championing a proposition that would increase Democratic congressional seats in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This move has drawn criticism from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor is indifferent about the state's residents in a Sunday segment on a major news network. The secretary revealed a strategy to cut federal funds from the state and threatened suspending the authority to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from California," he said, following a recently reported fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized trucker that led to loss of life and injured individuals.

Newsom's office pointed out that the U.S. government had approved the driver's employment multiple times, which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license under national regulations.

The transportation secretary had earlier stated he was holding back $40 million from California for not enforcing English language requirements for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp national statutes," the governor's team said in a previous release responding to Duffy's threats. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we'll stick to the facts: The state's truck drivers had a death rate significantly lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters said that Newsom ought to campaign for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has grown to an average of about one-third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an average of previous highs to current figures.

In previous months, the governor stated while traveling several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his plans for 2028.

He noted his earlier challenges, including being identified as dyslexic at the early childhood.

"The thought that a guy who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, remarkable," he said. "Who the hell knows? I am eager to see who presents themselves in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."