Gavin Newsom Acknowledges He Is Weighing a White House Bid in 2028
Gavin Newsom, a leading member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he intends to determine whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 midterm elections conclude.
"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," the governor commented when questioned about contemplating a campaign for president after the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I'm not."
Newsom's tenure as California's leader wraps up in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. However, he noted that any determination is not imminent.
"It's up to destiny," he added.
Increased Visibility as a Political Adversary
He has emerged as a high-profile critic of the former president's team, leveraging his digital presence and pushing a ballot measure that would increase the party's House seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has invited attacks from adversaries.
Clash on Transportation
Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom shows no concern about Californians in a weekend appearance on a major news network. Duffy disclosed plans to withhold federal funds from California and suggested suspending the state's ability to issue commercial driver's licenses.
"I'm about to pull $160m from the state," he declared, following a recently reported tragic collision in California involving an undocumented commercial driver that caused loss of life and casualties.
His administration highlighted that the national authorities had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.
The transportation secretary had previously announced he was holding back $40 million from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for CDL holders.
Firm Rebuttal from the Governor's Office
"One-time television figure, now cabinet member, continues to misunderstand national statutes," his administration retorted in a recent comment addressing the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: The state's CDL holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."
Voter Sentiment and Political Future
A recent poll found that 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters indicated that Newsom should run for the White House in 2028. After the current administration began, public support for the governor has grown to an mean of 33.5% from around 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an average of over 40% to under 40%.
In previous months, the governor stated while on a trip several key regions that he had "no clue" about his intentions for the next presidential election.
He noted his personal struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the early childhood.
"The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was often seated at the back – the idea that you would even throw that out is, by itself, extraordinary," he said. "Who the hell knows? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who meets that moment. And that is the issue for the American people."