Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom
Born	Gavin Christopher Newsom (1967-10-10) October 10, 1967 San Francisco, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1996–present
Known for	40th governor of California; 49th lieutenant governor of California; 42nd mayor of San Francisco

Gavin Christopher Newsom ( ; born October 10, 1967) is an American entrepreneur and politician currently holding the office of the 40th governor of California since 2019. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 49th lieutenant governor of California from 2011 until 2019 and was the 42nd mayor of San Francisco between 2004 and 2011.

Newsom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Santa Clara University in 1989. He established the boutique wine enterprise PlumpJack Group located in Oakville, California, supported by billionaire heir and family acquaintance Gordon Getty. This business grew to encompass 23 ventures, including wineries, dining establishments, and hotels. His political journey commenced in 1996 when then-San Francisco mayor Willie Brown appointed him to the city's Parking and Traffic Commission. The following year, Brown named Newsom to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors, with Newsom winning election to the board in 1998.

After being elected mayor of San Francisco in the 2003 race and securing reelection in 2007, Newsom captured the lieutenant governorship in the 2010 contest and was reelected in 2014. During his tenure as lieutenant governor, he hosted The Gavin Newsom Show from 2012 to 2013 and authored Citizenville (2013), which emphasized digital innovation for civic participation. Since 2025, he has been the host of the podcast This is Gavin Newsom.

Newsom won the governorship of California in the 2018 election. His administration faced scrutiny for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an unsuccessful recall attempt in 2021. He was subsequently reelected in the 2022 race, securing approximately 59% of the vote.

Early life

Gavin Christopher Newsom was born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California, to Tessa Thomas (née Menzies) and William Alfred Newsom III, who served as a state appeals court judge and legal counsel for Getty Oil. As a fourth-generation San Franciscan, Newsom hails from a distinguished family with longstanding connections to the city. His maternal great-grandfather, Thomas Addis, was a trailblazing nephrologist and Stanford University professor renowned for his kidney disease research. Additionally, Newsom is related to musician Joanna Newsom and linked through marriage to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s family. After his parents separated when he was three years old, his mother largely raised him and his sister alone. Tessa worked multiple jobs to support her family, instilling a strong sense of diligence in her children. Newsom has described his upbringing as difficult due to financial hardships and severe dyslexia, a condition he continues to manage.

He began his schooling at École Notre Dame des Victoires, a bilingual French-American Catholic institution in San Francisco. His dyslexia affected his abilities in reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics, necessitating remedial reading classes through fifth grade. He depended extensively on audiobooks and oral instruction and continues to prefer audio formats for reviewing documents. In a 2023 interview, he remarked that dyslexia "forced me to find workarounds and think differently—skills I still use every day as governor." At Redwood High School in Larkspur, California, despite academic challenges, Newsom excelled athletically and graduated in 1985. He played shooting guard on the basketball team and outfield on the baseball team, earning local accolades. Financial difficulties were apparent during his youth; his mother opened their home to foster children, shaping his enduring dedication to public service. To contribute financially during high school, Newsom held various jobs.

He attended Santa Clara University on a partial baseball scholarship and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1989. His varsity baseball career ended following elbow surgery in 1985 due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He credits Santa Clara’s Jesuit education with encouraging independent thought and questioning established norms. During his junior year, he studied abroad in Rome—a pivotal experience that broadened his global outlook and influenced his political trajectory.

Business career

On May 14, 1991, Newsom and a group of investors established PlumpJack Associates L.P., which led to the launch of PlumpJack Winery in 1992, supported financially by family friend Gordon Getty. Getty, who composed the opera PlumpJack and invested in 10 out of Newsom’s 11 enterprises, attributed their partnership and initial achievements as reasons for his ongoing financial involvement.

An early obstacle involved regulatory resistance when Newsom opposed the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s requirement to install a $27,000 sink at his PlumpJack wine shop, exemplifying the bureaucratic challenges he later sought to reform during his tenure as supervisor.

The business grew to employ more than 700 individuals. Between 1993 and 2000, Newsom and his associates launched various ventures including PlumpJack Café (1993), PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn with an attached café (1994), a winery in Napa Valley (1995), Balboa Café Bar and Grill (1995), MatrixFillmore Bar (1998), retail clothing outlets, and additional PlumpJack wine stores. His holdings comprised five dining establishments and two apparel retail stores. From 1996 through 2001, Newsom’s yearly earnings surpassed $429,000; by 2002, his asset portfolio was valued at over $6.9 million. To motivate creativity among staff, he awarded monthly $50 gift certificates for unsuccessful business proposals.

After assuming the mayoralty in 2004, Newsom divested from his San Francisco business interests but maintained ownership of PlumpJack Winery located in Oakville, Cade Winery in Angwin, and PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn. He holds the title of president in absentia at Airelle Wines Inc., affiliated with PlumpJack Winery. In 2007, his business income ranged between $141,000 and $251,000. In 2006, he acquired a home in Russian Hill for $2.35 million and later listed it in 2009 for $3 million.

Following the March 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse, it was reported that at least three of Newsom’s wine-related companies—PlumpJack, Cade, and Odette—were clients of Silicon Valley Bank.

Early political career

Newsom initiated his political journey by volunteering for Willie Brown's 1995 mayoral campaign, hosting a private fundraising event at his PlumpJack Café. In 1996, Brown appointed him to the Parking and Traffic Commission, where Newsom eventually became president. The following year, Brown appointed him to fill the San Francisco Board of Supervisors seat left vacant by Kevin Shelley, making him the youngest member on the board.

Sworn in by his father, Newsom committed to applying his entrepreneurial expertise to his supervisory role. Brown referred to him as "part of the future generation of leaders" for San Francisco. Newsom described himself as both a "social liberal and a fiscal watchdog". He secured a full four-year term in 1998 and was reelected in both 2000 and 2002 representing the affluent and politically varied second district that includes neighborhoods such as Pacific Heights, the Marina, Cow Hollow, Sea Cliff, and Laurel Heights. In 2000, while campaigning for Supervisor, he paid $500 to the San Francisco Republican Party to be included on their endorsement list.

As Supervisor, Newsom gained prominence advocating reforms for the city's Muni. Endorsed by transit advocacy group Rescue Muni in 1998, he sponsored Proposition B requiring Muni and other city departments to create comprehensive customer service plans; this measure passed with 56.6% voter approval. A similar Rescue Muni-backed ballot initiative was approved by voters in 1999.

He promoted policies favorable to businesses such as permitting outdoor alcohol service at restaurants, banning visible tobacco advertising, and enforcing stricter penalties against landlords violating rent-control regulations. Nevertheless, his pro-business orientation occasionally caused friction with labor unions.

Newsom supported housing development through public-private collaborations aimed at increasing homeownership opportunities and affordable housing availability. He endorsed HOPE—a failed initiative proposing more condo conversions if tenants purchased their units—and as a mayoral candidate advocated constructing 10,000 new housing units expected to generate 15,000 construction jobs.

His most notable accomplishment during this period was the Care Not Cash program (Measure N), which prioritized providing supportive housing and services over direct cash payments to homeless individuals. Despite opposition from homeless advocates and progressive groups, the measure passed and boosted his political standing ahead of his 2003 mayoral campaign. A 2008 audit determined that Care Not Cash was largely effective, reducing average cash assistance per recipient from over $300 to $78 and decreasing recipients from more than 2,500 to approximately 640.

2003

On November 4, 2003, Newsom led a crowded field of nine candidates in the general election, securing 41.9% of the vote. Green Party contender Matt Gonzalez followed with 19.6%. The runoff on December 9 proved more competitive as progressive organizations rallied behind Gonzalez. The contest took on a partisan tone, with attacks targeting Gonzalez for his support of Ralph Nader in 2000, while Newsom faced criticism for a $500 donation to a Republican mail campaign endorsing issues he favored. Democratic officials viewed this election as crucial for preserving San Francisco’s Democratic dominance after setbacks in the 2000 presidential and 2003 gubernatorial recall elections. Prominent national Democrats such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Jesse Jackson campaigned in support of Newsom. Five supervisors backed Gonzalez, whereas Willie Brown endorsed Newsom.

Newsom ultimately prevailed in the runoff, capturing 53% compared to Gonzalez’s 47%, winning by roughly 11,000 votes. He positioned himself as a business-oriented centrist Democrat, often labeled moderate or conservative by critics, and drew comparisons to Dianne Feinstein. His campaign slogan was "great cities, great ideas," underpinned by more than 21 policy proposals. He committed to continuing efforts to tackle homelessness in San Francisco.

Newsom took office on January 8, 2004, emphasizing political unity and focusing on public education, infrastructure repairs such as potholes, and affordable housing initiatives. He portrayed himself as "a different kind of leader," willing to confront difficult challenges head-on.

2007

The progressive faction in San Francisco sought a formidable contender against Newsom; however, Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi and Chris Daly declined to enter the race, and Gonzalez also opted not to run.

By the August 10 filing deadline, attention centered on Newsom’s bid for a second term. He faced thirteen opponents, including activist George Davis and Michael Powers, owner of Power Exchange. Conservative former supervisor Tony Hall withdrew in early September due to insufficient backing.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle in August 2007, Newsom encountered no significant opposition and had amassed $1.6 million for his re-election campaign. On November 6, he was re-elected with over 72% of the vote. Beginning his second term, Newsom pledged to focus on environmental issues, homelessness, healthcare access, education improvements, housing development, and the reconstruction of San Francisco General Hospital.

Mayoralty

During his tenure as mayor, Newsom emphasized development initiatives in neighborhoods like Hunters Point and Treasure Island. He attracted national attention in 2004 by instructing the city–county clerk of San Francisco to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite a state law enacted in 2000 prohibiting such actions. He introduced Care Not Cash, an initiative that by 2007 had successfully housed approximately 2,000 homeless individuals permanently and created an additional 5,000 affordable rental units. Programs including the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team (SF HOT) and Project Homeless Connect (PHC) further targeted chronic homelessness.

In response to a hotel workers’ strike in 2004, Newsom supported union picketers and committed to a citywide boycott of hotels until labor disputes were resolved; the contract was finalized in 2006. In 2005, he championed state legislation permitting municipalities to regulate specific dog breeds. In 2007, he signed into law the establishment of Healthy San Francisco, recognized as the nation’s first municipal universal healthcare program.

Newsom encountered criticism from the San Francisco Democratic Party in 2009 concerning his management of the city’s sanctuary policy related to collaboration with federal immigration authorities. That same year, he was honored with the Leadership for Healthy Communities Award alongside other officials for advancing initiatives that improve access to nutritious food and promote physical activity. In 2008, he convened the Urban-Rural Roundtable aimed at fostering regional food production and enhancing healthy food availability.

He secured $8 million in combined federal and local funds for the Better Streets program, which integrates public health considerations into urban planning efforts. Additionally, Newsom enacted legislation requiring chain restaurants to display nutritional information on their menus. In 2010, Same Point recognized him as "America's Most Social Mayor," highlighting his active engagement on social media platforms relative to mayors from other major U.S. cities.

Same-sex marriage

In 2004, Newsom attracted widespread national attention by instructing the San Francisco city–county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite this action conflicting with state law. Although the California Supreme Court invalidated these marriages in August of that year, Newsom’s decision significantly raised awareness about same-sex marriage and bolstered his political standing within San Francisco and the LGBTQ+ community.

During the 2008 election cycle, Newsom opposed Proposition 8, a measure designed to overturn the court ruling that recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Supporters of Proposition 8 aired an advertisement featuring Newsom stating, "This door's wide open now. It's going to happen, whether you like it or not." Some observers noted a shift in polling favoring Proposition 8 following the ad’s release, leading to speculation that Newsom’s comments may have unintentionally contributed to the amendment’s success.

2010

In February 2010, Newsom submitted paperwork to pursue the office of lieutenant governor and formally announced his campaign in March. He won the Democratic nomination in June and secured victory in the November 2 general election. Newsom was inaugurated on January 10, 2011, serving alongside Governor Jerry Brown.

While serving as lieutenant governor in May 2012, Newsom began hosting The Gavin Newsom Show on Current TV. That same month, he faced criticism for describing Sacramento as "dull" and admitting he visited only once weekly, stating there was "no reason" to be there more often.

2014

Newsom won reelection as lieutenant governor on November 4, 2014, defeating Republican Ron Nehring with 57.2% of the vote. His second term commenced on January 5, 2015.

Capital punishment

Newsom supported a failed 2012 initiative aimed at abolishing capital punishment in California, emphasizing potential cost savings by pointing out the $5 billion spent since 1978 to execute only 13 individuals. In 2016, he endorsed Proposition 62, which sought to eliminate the death penalty, arguing it was unethical, racially discriminatory, and ineffective as a deterrent. Ultimately, Proposition 62 did not pass.

Criminal justice and cannabis legalization

In 2014, Newsom stood as the only statewide elected official backing Proposition 47, which downgraded certain nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors; voters approved it that November.

In July 2015, Newsom unveiled the final report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy—created in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union of California—to inform a forthcoming legalization measure for 2016. He supported the subsequent Proposition 64, which legalized recreational cannabis use and cultivation for adults aged 21 and older.

On February 24, 2017, responding to remarks by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Newsom called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump to refrain from intensifying federal crackdowns on California’s legal cannabis industry. He stressed protecting this lawful sector from criminal interference and advocated for cooperative regulation between federal and state authorities. Additionally, Newsom distinguished marijuana from opioids by underscoring the latter’s public health dangers while welcoming targeted efforts to combat opioid addiction.

Education

In 2015, Newsom collaborated with Long Beach City College Superintendent Eloy Oakley to promote the California College Promise, an initiative fostering partnerships among public schools, higher education institutions, and employers to provide tuition-free community college education. The following year, he backed programs such as the Oakland Promise and LA Promise by working alongside local officials and securing $15 million in state funds to broaden these efforts statewide.

By December 2015, Newsom advocated for the University of California system to designate computer science as a fundamental academic discipline, encouraging high schools to incorporate computer science courses. He sponsored legislation enacted in 2016 that laid the groundwork for expanding computer science instruction to all California students beginning in kindergarten.

Also in 2016, Newsom introduced reforms within the University of California aimed at improving academic support and injury management for student-athletes, while aligning athletic contracts with educational achievement benchmarks. These reforms responded to concerns about low graduation rates among athletes, notably within UC Berkeley’s football program.

Technology in government

Newsom authored Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government, published on February 7, 2013, which examines the nationwide Gov 2.0 movement. After its release, he partnered with the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society at University of California, Berkeley to create the California Report Card (CRC), a mobile application allowing residents to evaluate the state’s performance on six critical issues. This platform embodies the vision outlined in Citizenville to enhance civic participation through digital tools.

In 2015, Newsom teamed up with the Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy at California Polytechnic State University to develop Digital Democracy, an online resource utilizing facial and voice recognition technologies that assists users in understanding California’s legislative processes.

2010 election

On April 21, 2009, Newsom declared his intention to run for governor of California in the 2010 election cycle. He appointed State Senator Alex Padilla as campaign chair and earned an endorsement from former President Bill Clinton in September. Despite this support, polling consistently showed him trailing Democratic frontrunner Jerry Brown by more than 20 percentage points. Facing limited backing, Newsom withdrew from the gubernatorial race in October and opted instead to pursue the lieutenant governor position.

2018 election

Newsom established a campaign fund on February 11, 2015, preparing for his bid in the 2018 California gubernatorial election with plans to succeed Governor Brown. He finished among the top two candidates in the June 5 nonpartisan blanket primary and decisively defeated Republican John H. Cox in November’s general election.

He was officially sworn into office on January 7, 2019.

2021 recall election

Early recall attempts against Newsom during his governorship failed to gain momentum until a petition was filed on February 21, 2020. The petition cited objections including his sanctuary state policies, homelessness rates, tax levels, and perceived declines in quality of life. The California Secretary of State authorized circulation of the petition on June 10, 2020.

The recall effort required nearly 1.5 million verified signatures; by August 2020 approximately 55,000 had been validated with additional signatures added through October. Due to pandemic-related delays, the deadline was extended from November 17, 2020, to March 17, 2021. Public backlash intensified following Newsom’s attendance at a November 2020 gathering at The French Laundry that contradicted his own COVID-19 restrictions. Voter dissatisfaction over lockdowns, job losses, and a $31 billion fraud scandal involving state unemployment benefits further fueled support for the recall. Ultimately, over 1.6 million signatures were verified by March.

During the campaign period, Newsom compared the recall effort to attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The recall vote took place on September 14, 2021; with only about 38% favoring removal, Newsom retained his governorship.

2022 election

In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Newsom secured a second term by defeating Republican State Senator Brian Dahle with 59.2% of votes cast. This victory margin was narrower than his previous win in 2018 and marked the first time since 2010 that a Democratic candidate for governor did not reach at least a 60% share.

Governor of California (2019–present)

A review conducted by CalMatters in 2019 identified Newsom as politically more moderate than nearly all Democratic legislators within California's state government.

Appointments

Following Vice President Kamala Harris’s ascension in 2020, Newsom appointed Secretary of State Alex Padilla as her successor in the U.S. Senate and named Assemblywoman Shirley Weber as California’s new secretary of state. After Xavier Becerra became U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Newsom selected Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California.

In anticipation of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s potential retirement or passing before her term concluded—she died in September 2023—Newsom pledged to appoint a Black woman as her replacement. He fulfilled this commitment by appointing Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat.

Capital punishment

On March 13, 2019—three years after voters narrowly rejected repeal efforts—Governor Newsom instituted a moratorium on executions in California’s death penalty system for the duration of his administration. This action resulted in withdrawing lethal injection protocols and closing San Quentin State Prison’s execution chamber. He characterized capital punishment as "a racist system... perpetuating inequality," granting temporary reprieve to all inmates on death row—then numbering 737—the largest such population west of the Mississippi River.

In January 2022, he ordered San Quentin’s death row dismantled and repurposed for rehabilitation programs while relocating condemned prisoners to other maximum-security facilities. Voters had previously affirmed capital punishment measures in elections held in 2012 and 2016; notably, the latter permitted inmate transfers between prisons. A poll conducted by UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times in 2021 showed declining public support for capital punishment within California. Critics from Republican circles argued that Newsom’s moratorium contravened voter intent; proponents contended it deprived victims’ families of closure.

Clemency

Responding to federal immigration enforcement policies targeting individuals with criminal histories under the Trump administration, Newsom prioritized clemency applications from such immigrants. Pardons can remove grounds for deportation among immigrants who might otherwise qualify as legal permanent residents. Under a law passed in California in 2018, pardon petitions from individuals facing deportation receive expedited consideration by the state Board of Parole Hearings.

In May 2019, Newsom granted pardons to seven formerly incarcerated persons—including two Cambodian refugees confronting deportation threats—and later pardoned three men seeking relief from removal due to crimes committed during adolescence. In December that year, he approved parole for a Cambodian refugee convicted of murder; however, despite advocacy against federal transfers upon release, this individual was handed over for possible deportation.

On January 13, 2022, Newsom rejected parole for Sirhan Sirhan—the assassin of Robert F. Kennedy—despite a parole board recommendation after more than five decades incarcerated. Writing for the Los Angeles Times, he stated that Sirhan lacked sufficient insight necessary to prevent future dangerous behavior and criticized his refusal to accept responsibility.

Police reform

Newsom has endorsed Assembly Bill 1196 prohibiting carotid artery restraints and chokeholds statewide, asserting these tactics have no place in modern law enforcement practices. In September 2021, he signed legislation raising minimum hiring age for police officers from eighteen to twenty-one years old; restricting tear gas use; banning departments from employing officers with prior misconduct or criminal records; and enacting the George Floyd Bill requiring officers intervene when witnessing excessive force by colleagues.

Transgender prisoners

In September 2020, Newsom approved legislation permitting transgender inmates’ housing assignments according to gender identity unless overridden by legitimate management or security concerns. The law faced legal challenges from groups such as the Women's Liberation Front alleging constitutional violations and safety risks within female correctional facilities.

COVID-19 pandemic

Following California’s first COVID-19 fatality on March 4, 2020, Newsom declared a state of emergency aimed at readiness and virus containment efforts. This declaration enabled streamlined procurement processes for medical supplies and facilitated data sharing while relaxing restrictions on state-owned properties. Efforts focused heavily on protecting approximately 108,000 unsheltered homeless individuals by relocating many indoors.

An executive order allowed state authorities to requisition hotels and medical facilities for COVID-19 treatment purposes and permitted private teleconferencing among officials managing response efforts. Decisions regarding school closures were delegated locally; another order ensured continuity of student meal services and funding for remote learning programs—critical given that roughly eighty percent of California public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

As case numbers escalated rapidly during March 2020, Newsom urged vulnerable populations—including seniors and those with chronic illnesses—to self-isolate while closing bars, tasting rooms, movie theaters, health clubs; restaurants were limited solely to takeout service. On March 19 statewide stay-at-home orders commenced exempting essential services only; funds were allocated toward protective measures such as lodging accommodations for frontline workers.

By late April he had issued thirty executive orders under emergency powers and coordinated with Oregon and Washington on a unified reopening framework based on data-driven benchmarks across four phases introduced April 28. He emphasized evidence-based decision-making over ideological considerations while expressing caution about resuming large-scale sporting events.

In early May select retailers reopened curbside pickup operations amid strong public approval despite some protests; local authorities received increased discretion over reopening timelines while mail-in voting options were announced for November elections—making California first nationwide to mail ballots automatically to all registered voters.

Hospitalizations surged mid-June prompting mandatory statewide face covering policies effective June18 enforced primarily through business compliance mechanisms; several counties closed bars again by late June due to rising infections while indoor dining faced restrictions by July amid warnings from Newsom that COVID-19 would persist until vaccine or effective treatments emerged.

California’s vaccine distribution initially lagged behind other states; by January2021 it ranked near bottom nationally using only about thirty percent of allocated doses leading to declining approval ratings—from sixty-four percent in September2020 down to forty-six percent by February2021 amid criticism over pandemic handling. Vaccination rates improved significantly by September2021 with over half population fully vaccinated ranking sixteenth nationwide.

Despite strict restrictions throughout2020 California recorded twenty-ninth highest COVID-19 death rate nationally by May2021; some experts criticized delayed adoption of updated CDC guidance exempting fully vaccinated individuals from indoor mask mandates citing insufficient scientific justification alongside potential unintended consequences.

Pandemic unemployment fraud and debt

In January2021 Los Angeles Times reported mismanagement within Newsom’s administration involving $11.4 billion disbursed improperly through federally funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits primarily paid fraudulently while legitimate claimants endured delays; an additional $19 billion remained under fraud investigation overseen by Labor Secretary Julie Su—a gubernatorial appointee later elevated by President Biden.

Opponents blamed administrative negligence ignoring federal warnings about fraud risks while officials cited inadequate federal guidance during program rollout; investigations revealed much fraud originated internationally via organized crime networks spanning twenty countries including payments made fraudulently on behalf of incarcerated individuals totaling $810 million per state auditor report.

By mid-2021 The Sacramento Bee disclosed California owed $23 billion federally related unemployment debts representing forty-three percent owed collectively by thirteen states largely attributed not solely to fraud but also systemic underfunding compounded by high pandemic unemployment rates statewide.

Wildfires

Amid widespread tree mortality increasing wildfire vulnerability Newsom declared a state emergency March22 ,2020 ahead of wildfire season battling hundreds of fires ignited partly by severe thunderstorms through August18 .Initial federal disaster aid requests following six major fires were denied but later approved after direct intervention amid Trump administration resistance.

June23 ,2021 NPR station CapRadio reported substantial exaggerations regarding wildfire prevention claims including overstating acreage treated with fuel breaks/prescribed burns by nearly sevenfold (claimed90 ,000 acres vs actual11 ,399); numerous priority projects intended for evacuation facilitation largely failed during major fires like Paradise's Camp Fire .Leaked communications revealed Cal Fire chief appointed by Newsom ordered removal of original statements; subsequent reporting found no progress on expedited environmental reviews designed for fire prevention projects as late as April2022 .

Investigations highlighted Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)'s culpability after felony convictions linked to catastrophic fires; allegations surfaced accusing Newsom of accepting PG&E donations influencing regulatory decisions allowing avoidance of substantial penalties through CPUC rulings .Additionally ,Newsom helped establish Wildfire Insurance Fund funded via ratepayer fees enabling PG&E liability shifting onto taxpayers/customers .

June 2025 Los Angeles protests

Protests erupted June 2025 following federal immigration raids prompting President Trump deployment of up to4 ,000 National Guard troops plus U.S.Marines supporting response .Governor Newsom opposed this action labeling it unconstitutional federal intrusion .On June9 ,California filed lawsuit Newsom v.Trump challenging legality citing presidential authority limits under10 U.S.C.§252 plus Tenth Amendment/Posse Comitatus Act violations .

Energy and environment

Upon taking office in2019 ,Newsom succeeded Jerry Brown as co-chairman of United States Climate Alliance .He vetoed SB1 preserving environmental protections against federal rollbacks under Trump administration (September2019) .In February2020 his administration sued federal agencies over endangered fish protections rollback affecting Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta .

Attending2019 UN Climate Action Summit ,Newsom positioned California as climate leadership model .At August2020 Democratic National Convention he highlighted climate change/wildfire challenges .September23 ,2020 executive order phased out gasoline vehicle sales by2035 requiring all new passenger cars be zero-emission ;he also approved bills establishing lithium extraction commission near Salton Sea .

During2018 campaign he pledged tighter fracking/oil extraction oversight yet early tenure approvals doubled compared prior year .Following criticism/firing Division head ,he imposed November2019 moratorium on new hydraulic fracturing/steam-injection permits pending scientific review resuming issuance April2020 .

Environmental groups sued over ongoing oil/gas lease sales (2021) ;Newsom committed ending gas leasing by2024 oil extraction2035 .October2021 proposed3 ,200-foot buffer zones between fossil fuel sites/populated areas .

Gas prices surpassed $6/gallon (2022) attributed corporate greed/price gouging ;proposed windfall profits tax September .March28 ,2023 signed law empowering Energy Commission profit regulation/enforcement against petroleum companies .

Animal welfare

In2019 signed laws enhancing protections including Wildlife Protection Act banning fur trapping/sales bobcat hunting bans circus animal use restrictions horse slaughter laws strengthened .September2022 banned pesticide testing on dogs/cats .Fur sales ban took effect (2023) making California first state enacting such prohibition .

September2024 approved commercial octopus farming ban citing intelligence/pain capacity becoming second state after Washington .

July 2025 DOJ lawsuit challenged regulations on intensive battery cage eggs including Propositions2/12 ;Newsom office criticized Trump administration targeting excessive regulation complaints .

Donations to spouse's nonprofit organization

The Sacramento Bee reported Jennifer Siebel Newsom's nonprofit The Representation Project received over $800K from corporations lobbying state government including PG&E AT&T Comcast Kaiser Permanente ;Siebel earned $2.3 million salary since nonprofit inception (2011) .Governor stated no conflict regarding donations from entities lobbying his administration (2021) .

Donations to campaign

February 2024 Bloomberg News disclosed Newsom advocated exemption within AB1228 raising minimum wage for fast food workers covering Panera Bread bakeries owned by Greg Flynn donor contributing $164 ,800 ;Republicans called investigation citing unusual exemption ;Newsom described it legislative negotiation outcome .

September 2024 Los Angeles Times revealed signing AB3206 granting last call alcohol exception at Intuit Dome owned by Steve Ballmer whose wife donated $1 million campaign funds ;ethics experts criticized bill favoring major donor ;spokesperson affirmed decisions based solely on bill merits .

Executive authority and actions

Between2019–21 veto rate averaged12 .7% comparable predecessors declining across three legislative sessions including vetoes on ranked-choice voting ethnic studies AI regulation jaywalking penalties bills .

During pandemic-afflicted session issued unusually high number executive orders reflecting assertive governance style .

Gun control

As lieutenant governor (2016) championed Proposition63 enforcing background checks Department Justice approval ammunition purchases .After mass shootings advocated national ammunition background checks stronger assault weapon controls emphasizing male-dominated gun violence challenge .

June 2021 criticized federal judge overturning assault weapons ban proposed legislation enabling private enforcement modeled after Texas abortion law .

Signed multiple gun control laws (2022) restricting privately made firearms linked violent crime banning firearm marketing targeting children allowing private lawsuits against illegal distributors mandating statutory damages attorney fees .

June 8 ,2023 proposed28th Amendment raising firearm purchase age21 universal background checks waiting periods banning civilian assault weapons ;legal experts expressed constitutional convention process concerns citing unprecedented risks .

Abortion

December 2021 announced plan making California sanctuary state covering abortion costs out-of-state seekers if banned elsewhere .March 2022 signed bill mandating private insurance full abortion coverage removing cost-sharing increasing premiums .February 2023 launched Reproductive Freedom Alliance supporting abortion reproductive rights governors coalition .

After Walgreens refusal dispensing abortion pills where illegal (March 2023) vowed ceasing business with company targeting contracts worth millions despite federal Medicaid law constraints limiting exclusion except fraud breaches .

Health care

Campaigned reducing healthcare costs expanding access supporting universal coverage .June 2019 budget extended Medi-Cal eligibility undocumented youth19–25 years old signing legislation extending coverage undocumented residents over50 (2021) .June 30 ,2022 approved $307 .9 billion budget guaranteeing Medicaid eligibility all low-income adults regardless immigration status first state doing so costing $2 .7 billion annually .

Criticized withdrawing CalCare single-payer support early 2022 amid claims business/insurer influence signed Senate Bill184 establishing Office Health Care Affordability developing data-driven cost containment policies (July 6 ,2022) .

October 2023 vetoed insulin co-pay cap bill despite earlier universal healthcare advances .

High-speed rail

February 2019 State Address announced continuation Central Valley segment Bakersfield–Merced indefinitely postponing remainder due cost overruns delays causing friction with labor unions representing construction trades council members .

Homelessness and housing shortage

Polls identified homelessness top voter concern early term threatened withholding infrastructure funds communities failing housing solutions sued Huntington Beach blocking affordable housing later settling opposing NIMBYism calling it "destroying state" pushing increased development .

Signed bills easing zoning allowing duplexes/fourplexes previously single-family zones expediting environmental reviews multifamily projects exceeding $15 million via governor office direct applications (2021) .

Signed39 housing bills land use reforms eliminating parking minimums near transit permitting housing commercial zones with affordable units mandating stricter permit timelines warning local governments obstructing developments (2022) .Despite efforts homelessness reached record181 ,000 January 2023 experts estimate need exceeding2 .5 million new units .

October 2023 vetoed several bills expanding housing assistance citing sovereignty concerns program scope .

August 2024 warned counties failing homeless encampment clearance would lose funding following personal unannounced Los Angeles encampment clearance emphasizing urgency addressing crisis .

Water management

Supports tentative water-sharing agreements resolving disputes among agricultural urban fisheries environmental stakeholders regarding Sacramento San Joaquin rivers feeding Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta critical water system .

Native American relations

June 2019 publicly apologized acknowledging genocide sanctioned during19th century killing at least4 ,500 Native Californians1849–1870 stressing accurate historical characterization .October 2024 signed AB3074 banning derogatory Native American names mascots K–12 public schools unless tribal-run recognized tribes .

LGBTQ+ rights

September 2022 signed Senate Bill107 establishing first sanctuary state status transgender youth proclaimed Pride Month June 2023 fined school district $1 .5 million rejecting curriculum featuring gay rights leader Harvey Milk signed bill banning removal textbooks referencing minority LGBTQ+ individuals July 2024 enacted SAFETY Act prohibiting outing students gender identity without consent parental approval .

Vetoed Assembly bills requiring judges consider parental affirmation gender identity custody cases mandating insurance coverage gender-affirming care .

Caste discrimination

October 2023 vetoed bill banning caste-based discrimination deeming unnecessary given existing protections sex race color religion ancestry national origin disability gender identity sexual orientation supported by Hindu rights groups opposing targeting ethnic/religious groups criticized by Dalit advocates .

Labor rights

Also October vetoed bill extending unemployment insurance strike participants citing system strain vetoed extension layoff warning periods inclusion long-term contract workers nondisclosure agreement bans severance packages protections .

International travel

First international trip governor El Salvador home nearly680 ,000 Salvadoran immigrants emphasizing economic tourism partnerships exploring migration drivers United States October20 ,2033 visited Israel amid Gaza war expressing solidarity meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu President Isaac Herzog officials survivors Hamas attacks later visited China week-long trip starting Hong Kong climate discussions University Hong Kong Beijing meeting President Xi Jinping addressing climate trade fentanyl production stops Guangdong Jiangsu Shanghai calling improved US-China relations essential stating "divorce is not an option" between nations.

National profile and political future

Widely regarded potential presidential contender June 2033 poll showed22% Californians supporting candidacy Arnold Schwarzenegger called run "no-brainer" analysts discussed inevitability September 2032 ruled out24 bid citing recall vulnerability post-22 reelection confirmed no challenge Biden endorsed reelection April 2033 outspoken critic Florida Governor Ron DeSantis particularly Martha's Vineyard migrant airlift DeSantis responded highlighting state's issues challenging run against Biden debated November moderated Sean Hannity Fox News July launched podcast Politickin' co-hosted Marshawn Lynch Doug Hendrickson following Biden withdrawal declined nomination endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris July called special legislative session protecting policies incoming Trump administration December publicly criticized Biden pardoning Hunter Biden expressing disappointment Preparing possible28 bid broadened appeal engaging conservatives Charlie Kirk Steve Bannon podcast signaling strategic wider electorate shift.

Other political activism

Founded Campaign for Democracy PAC opposing authoritarian leaders US viewed foundation possible28 presidential bid raised $24 million supporting candidates expenditures unrestricted contributions coordinating provided not federal candidate status maintained July funding level reached significant scale.

Personal life

Raised Catholic practicing faith acknowledging church challenges Married Kimberly Guilfoyle December2001 separated2004 divorced2006 career conflicts Guilfoyle later Trump advisor frequently criticized Early2007 admitted affair Ruby Rippey-Tourk leading campaign manager resignation public apology Began dating filmmaker Jennifer Siebel late2006 sought alcohol treatment February2007 engaged married Montana July2008 four children Post-mayoralty relocated family Marin County2012 later Sacramento upon governorship May purchased $3 .7 million Fair Oaks residence highest priced local home sold Marin County property August2031 for $5 .9 million Godfather designer LGBTQ activist Nats Getty family close political ties Harrises Pelosis.

Works

• Gavin Newsom (co-authored Lisa Dickey) Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government London Penguin Group (2013)

See also

• Electoral history of Gavin Newsom

External links

• Official website of Governor Gavin Newsom
• Gavin Newsom's personal Twitter account
• Official Twitter account for the Governor of California
• Campaign site for Gavin Newsom for Governor
• Profile of Gavin Newsom on CityMayors

• Gavin Newsom profile at On the Issues