Gov. Gavin Newsom unequivocally said he would not suspend the state’s gas tax, blaming President Donald Trump for increased prices. But he would not say how he would handle the Middle East differently.

“No, nor does Ron DeSantis believe that’s appropriate, or Donald Trump,” Newsom said about calls to suspend the gas tax, referring to Florida’s Republican governor. His comments came Wednesday at an appearance in Madera County.

Newsom said there is no guarantee suspending the tax would translate to savings for customers.

“It’s funding the biggest investments in roads, bridges and infrastructure in California’s history — a $180 billion, 10-year capital plan, substantially because of that voter-approved effort,” he said. “The price spikes in this state are directly attributable to the actions of the president of the United States. And the president of the United States needs to be held to account not only for those actions and their consequences, but he needs to end this war and address the growing crisis at the pump that he has exacerbated.”

Republican lawmakers have long called for the state to roll back gas taxes, at least temporarily. It is a move also favored by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democratic candidate vying to succeed Newsom as governor.

The White House responded in a comment to GV Wire.

“Gavin Newscum is in no place to be criticizing President Trump’s energy dominance policies. California gas prices have consistently been some of the highest in the country for years, averaging well above $4 per gallon before Operation Epic Fury when gas prices in most other states were around $2 per gallon thanks to President Trump unleashing reliable, affordable, secure energy. President Trump’s commonsense energy dominance agenda lowers prices and increases production; Gavin Newscum’s so-called ‘green energy’ policies drive prices up and stifle production,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said.

Newsom is a potential candidate for the White House in 2028. He would not say how he would handle the Middle East differently.

“I’m not going to get into foreign policy conversations out here as I’m celebrating three new parks and the expansion of 30,000 acres into our system, but I can assure you it would be a stark contrast to the way the president of the United States has conducted it so far,” Newsom said.

Newsom: Not Favoring Any Successor

Newsom was also silent on whom he might endorse to succeed him as governor.

“I’m supporting a Democrat in the runoff and look forward to voters making that decision very shortly,” he said.

He is confident a Democrat will make the top two to advance to the November general election, despite polling showing Democrat candidates trailing Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, for the No. 2 position.

“There are a lot of outstanding candidates with extraordinary records. I can name seven of them, although I think there are nine,” Newsom said.

Asked why he is not ready to make an endorsement, Newsom said, “As someone who’s grown up in the state of California, I have had an opportunity to work with every single person who is running for that office. I’ve had the privilege of working and partnering with them in many different capacities over many years. I respect their willingness to put themselves out there. I’m looking forward to the debate tonight, and I am looking forward to where the voters ultimately land.”

Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, D-San Francisco, is among the top-polling Democrats, along with former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and Mahan. Onetime frontrunner and now-former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Livermore, suspended his campaign last week after reports of sexual abuse.

Former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton, R-Atherton, leads the polls. The primary election concludes June 2.

River Land to Become State Park

Newsom appeared Wednesday at Sycamore Island Ranch on the Madera County side of the San Joaquin River as part of an Earth Day event. The land, currently operated by the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust in conjunction with the state’s San Joaquin River Conservancy, will become a state park.

It will be one of three new parks, expanding the state’s total to 283. Other new parks include one near Bakersfield to preserve Dust Bowl history and a park in Yuba County along the Feather River.

Both Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, told the story of how their son, Dutch, transformed from tech-addicted to transfixed by nature. He was unhappy about visiting a park until he got out of the car.

“He used the word ‘magnificent.’ I didn’t even know he knew that word. All he talks about is trying to go back. The wonder of that experience, how proximate we are to it, and how many people can’t even imagine going to Yosemite, let alone going to this trout pond or fishing in their own backyard,” Newsom said.

The state park expansion includes a goal of adding 30,000 acres by 2030.

“It’s just about stories, it’s about memories, it is about moments. It’s about taking a deep breath, and it’s about letting so much of this go,” Newsom said.

Siebel Newsom talked about the healing power of parks.

“Dutch is still asking when we’re going to return to Yosemite. As a mom of four, I especially see how rare time in nature is, especially with addictive technology at our kids’ fingertips. Kids need spaces to explore Mother Nature, connect with each other, fall down, get back up, and discover who they truly are,” Siebel Newsom said.

California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot said it will not cost the state any more to operate the land as a state park. The land was transferred from a conservancy agency, and staffing can be absorbed into the budget.

“We have these conservation partners that had the foresight to conserve these lands for the day state parks could figure out how to bring them into the system. And that day is now,” Crowfoot said.

An official name for the state park will come at a later date, state officials said.

Watch Gov. Gavin Newsom Talk to the Media