California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, recently shared his thoughts on a potential bid for the presidency in 2028 during an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning. He indicated that he would make a decision about running for the White House after the 2026 midterm elections, stating, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise.” Newsom emphasized the importance of being truthful about his political aspirations, acknowledging that his term as governor concludes in January 2027 and that he cannot seek re-election due to term limits.
Despite the distance of a few years, Newsom remains reflective about his future in politics. He remarked, “Fate will determine that,” suggesting that many factors will play into his decision-making process. Over the past few years, Newsom has become a prominent voice against the Trump administration, leveraging his social media presence and advocating for a ballot measure aimed at increasing Democratic congressional seats in response to Republican-led redistricting efforts. This activism has made him a focal point for criticism from opposing parties.
Recently, Sean Duffy, the former Secretary of Transportation under Donald Trump, accused Newsom of neglecting the needs of Californians. Duffy announced plans to withhold federal funds from California, threatening to revoke the state's authority to issue commercial driver’s licenses. “I’m about to pull $160 million from California,” he stated, following a tragic incident involving an undocumented truck driver that resulted in fatalities. However, Newsom's office contended that the federal government had repeatedly reauthorized the driver’s employment, allowing him to possess a commercial driver’s license legally.
In response to Duffy's remarks, Newsom's office released a statement highlighting the state’s safety records, noting that California's commercial driver’s license holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. They contrasted this with Texas, which has a significantly higher crash rate among commercial drivers. “Facts don’t lie. The Trump administration does,” the statement concluded, underscoring the governor's commitment to defending California against federal critiques.
A recent CBS poll revealed that a substantial majority of Democrats (72%) and a significant portion of all registered voters (48%) believe Newsom should pursue a presidential run in 2028. Since Trump’s inauguration, Newsom's favorability rating has seen a modest increase, rising to an average of 33.5% while his unfavorability has decreased to 38.4%, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Earlier this year, during a tour of battleground states, Newsom expressed uncertainty about his political future, stating, “I have no idea.” He candidly discussed his personal challenges, such as being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five, reflecting on how these experiences shaped him. "The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT...would even throw that out is extraordinary,” he remarked. Looking ahead, he expressed anticipation for who might emerge as viable candidates in 2028, emphasizing that the ultimate decision lies with the American public.
