Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom
Born	Gavin Christopher Newsom 10 10, 1967
Birthplace	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	40th Governor of California, 42nd Mayor of San Francisco
Education	Santa Clara University (BS)
Children	4

Gavin Christopher Newsom (born October 10, 1967) is an American politician and businessman who has served as the 40th governor of California since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Newsom has held public office for nearly three decades, rising from an appointed seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to the state's highest executive position. Before entering politics, he co-founded the PlumpJack Group, a hospitality and wine enterprise that grew into a portfolio of more than twenty businesses. As mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, he drew national attention for directing the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, a move that preceded the broader legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States by over a decade. After serving as the 49th lieutenant governor of California from 2011 to 2019, Newsom won the governorship in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. His tenure as governor has encompassed the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, significant policy initiatives on climate, gun control, housing, and LGBTQ rights, and an unsuccessful recall effort in 2021. In his final year as governor, Newsom has taken an increasingly visible national profile, publishing a memoir titled Young Man in a Hurry and touring the country to campaign for Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Early Life

Gavin Christopher Newsom was born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California. His father, William Newsom, was a state appeals court judge and former campaign manager for Pat Brown. The Newsom family had longstanding connections to prominent California families, including the Getty family; William Newsom served as an administrator for the Getty family trust.

Newsom grew up in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised primarily by his mother, who worked multiple jobs to support the family. Newsom has spoken publicly about his struggles with dyslexia, a learning disability that affected his academic performance throughout his youth and into adulthood. His 2026 memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, explores his relationship with his father, which has been described as marked by emotional distance.

Despite his family's political connections, Newsom's upbringing was not one of great personal wealth. His mother's financial struggles shaped his early worldview, and the contrast between his family's social standing and their economic reality has been a recurring theme in his public narrative.

Education

Newsom attended Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution located in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1989. While at Santa Clara, Newsom was a member of the university's baseball team. His time at the university coincided with a period of personal growth as he learned to manage his dyslexia, developing compensatory strategies that would serve him throughout his career.

Career

Business Career and PlumpJack Group

After graduating from Santa Clara University in 1989, Newsom entered the business world rather than immediately pursuing a career in politics. He co-founded the PlumpJack Group, a boutique wine and hospitality company based in Oakville, California. The venture's initial funding came in part from Gordon Getty, the billionaire heir and a longtime friend of the Newsom family. The enterprise grew significantly over the following years, ultimately expanding to manage 23 businesses spanning wineries, restaurants, and hotels. The PlumpJack brand became well known in the Northern California wine and hospitality industry, and Newsom's success as an entrepreneur established the financial foundation and public profile that would facilitate his transition into politics.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1997–2004)

Newsom's entry into politics came in 1996, when San Francisco mayor Willie Brown appointed him to the city's Parking and Traffic Commission. The following year, in 1997, Brown appointed Newsom to fill a vacancy on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, succeeding Kevin Shelley. Newsom then won election to the Board of Supervisors in his own right in 1998.

During his time on the Board of Supervisors, Newsom initially served in an at-large district from 1997 to 2001, and then represented the 2nd district from 2001 until 2004. As a supervisor, Newsom developed a reputation that did not always align with the liberal orthodoxy of San Francisco politics. He focused on quality-of-life issues and business-friendly policies while also engaging with homeless services and public health initiatives in the city. His tenure on the board provided him with the political experience and name recognition necessary for his subsequent mayoral campaign.

Mayor of San Francisco (2004–2011)

Newsom was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2003, defeating a field that included Green Party candidate Matt Gonzalez in a runoff election. He took office on January 8, 2004, succeeding Willie Brown, the same mayor who had launched his political career years earlier.

Same-Sex Marriage Directive

In February 2004, less than a month after taking office, Newsom directed the San Francisco city-county clerk to issue same-sex marriage licenses, making San Francisco one of the first jurisdictions in the United States to do so. The decision generated intense national debate and legal challenges. The California Supreme Court ultimately voided the marriages that had been performed, but Newsom's action placed the issue of marriage equality at the center of American political discourse. The move established Newsom as a nationally recognized figure within the Democratic Party, although it also drew criticism from some members of his own party who worried about a political backlash. Same-sex marriage was later legalized statewide in California in 2013 and nationwide by the United States Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.

Domestic Policy Initiatives

As mayor, Newsom pursued a range of policy initiatives focused on public health, homelessness, and the environment. He championed programs aimed at reducing homelessness in San Francisco, including the "Care Not Cash" initiative, which redirected general assistance payments toward supportive housing and social services. Newsom also focused on environmental sustainability initiatives and worked to promote San Francisco as a leader in green urban policy.

His administration addressed public health concerns, including healthy food access and community wellness programs. Newsom also advanced animal welfare policies in the city.

Newsom was reelected as mayor in 2007 with a substantial margin of victory. He served as mayor until January 10, 2011, and was succeeded by Ed Lee.

Lieutenant Governor of California (2011–2019)

Newsom was elected lieutenant governor of California in 2010, taking office on January 10, 2011, under Governor Jerry Brown. He was subsequently reelected to the position in 2014. As lieutenant governor, Newsom served on several state boards and commissions, including the University of California Board of Regents and the California State Lands Commission.

During his time as lieutenant governor, Newsom pursued several side projects that kept him in the public eye. From 2012 to 2013, he hosted The Gavin Newsom Show, a television program on the Current TV network. In 2013, he published a book titled Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government, which argued for the use of digital tools and technology to enhance democratic participation and government transparency. These ventures allowed Newsom to maintain a national profile while serving in the largely ceremonial role of lieutenant governor, and they positioned him for a gubernatorial campaign.

His predecessor as lieutenant governor was Abel Maldonado, a Republican, and Newsom was succeeded in the role by Eleni Kounalakis when he ascended to the governorship in 2019.

Governor of California (2019–present)

Newsom was elected governor of California in 2018, winning the general election by a wide margin. He took office on January 7, 2019, succeeding Jerry Brown, under whom he had served as lieutenant governor for eight years.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Newsom's governorship was defined in its early years by the COVID-19 pandemic. California was among the first states to implement stay-at-home orders and business closures in March 2020. Newsom's administration directed an extensive public health response, including testing infrastructure, vaccine distribution, and economic relief programs. However, his handling of the pandemic also attracted criticism. In November 2020, Newsom attended a dinner at the French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley that appeared to violate the social distancing guidelines his own administration had imposed. The incident became a focal point for critics who accused Newsom of hypocrisy and contributed to growing discontent with pandemic restrictions in the state.

2021 Recall Election

The backlash against pandemic restrictions and the French Laundry incident fueled a recall campaign against Newsom. Under California law, a recall election can be triggered if proponents gather a sufficient number of valid petition signatures. The recall qualified for the ballot, and a special election was held on September 14, 2021. Newsom campaigned actively against the recall, framing it as an effort by Republican and conservative forces to seize power in a heavily Democratic state. The recall effort ultimately failed, with a substantial majority of voters choosing to retain Newsom as governor.

Policy Agenda

As governor, Newsom has pursued an agenda focused on several key policy areas. On housing and infrastructure, he has pushed for increased housing production to address California's chronic housing shortage and homelessness crisis, advocating for regulatory reform and investment in affordable housing construction. On climate policy, Newsom has positioned California as a leader in environmental regulation, advancing the state's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. He has also championed gun control legislation, signing multiple bills tightening firearms regulations in the state.

Newsom has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights throughout his career, and as governor he has continued to advance protections for LGBTQ Californians. His administration has also engaged in high-profile disputes with the federal government, particularly during the administration of President Donald Trump.

In 2025, Newsom oversaw the passage of California Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, a referendum that amended the California Constitution.

Pardons and Executive Actions

Newsom's use of the gubernatorial pardon power has at times generated controversy. In February 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement criticizing Newsom for pardoning an individual convicted of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. The pardon drew sharp criticism from Republican officials and immigration enforcement advocates, while Newsom's supporters characterized the response as politically motivated.

National Profile and 2026 Activities

In 2025, during his final years as governor, Newsom began hosting a podcast titled This Is Gavin Newsom, which has featured guests from across the political spectrum. The podcast has allowed Newsom to engage with national political debates beyond his gubernatorial responsibilities.

In February 2026, Newsom published a memoir, Young Man in a Hurry. The book has received coverage from major national outlets. A review in The New York Times examined the arc of Newsom's career and his transformation from a figure who was "scorned" as governor to a more prominent national presence. The Atlantic noted that the memoir is "dominated by a parent's emotional distance," referring to Newsom's complex relationship with his father.

Simultaneously, Newsom has undertaken a national tour, campaigning for Democratic candidates and urging the party to adopt a more combative posture ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In February 2026, he traveled to Georgia, where he urged Democrats to "fight fire with fire" against the Trump administration. He also appeared in South Carolina, campaigning in the district of Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace.

In a CNN interview in February 2026, Newsom stated that the Democratic Party should be more "culturally normal," signaling an interest in reshaping the party's messaging and appeal. NPR reported that Newsom has said he refuses to be a "bystander" in the current political moment, framing his national activities as part of a broader effort to energize Democratic voters.

Personal Life

Newsom has been married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce. He later married Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker. The couple has four children together.

Newsom has spoken publicly about his struggle with dyslexia, which he has described as a significant challenge throughout his education and career. The condition has become a part of his public identity; in February 2026, a controversy arose when conservatives accused Newsom of bigotry related to remarks he had made, with Newsom's office responding by characterizing the accusations as "MAGA-manufactured outrage" and noting his own experience with dyslexia.

His father, William Newsom, was a state appeals court judge with deep connections to California's political establishment. The relationship between father and son has been a subject of public discussion, particularly following the publication of Newsom's 2026 memoir, which explores the emotional complexities of that bond.

Newsom has maintained residences in Fair Oaks and Kentfield, California.

Recognition

Newsom's decision to issue same-sex marriage licenses in San Francisco in 2004 became one of the most significant moments of his career, earning him both praise from LGBTQ advocacy organizations and criticism from opponents of same-sex marriage. The action placed him at the center of one of the defining civil rights debates of the early 21st century and established his reputation as a figure willing to take politically risky stances on social issues.

His book Citizenville (2013) received attention for its arguments about technology and governance, contributing to discussions about digital democracy and government transparency.

As governor, Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the successful defeat of the 2021 recall effort, and his policy initiatives on climate, gun control, and housing have maintained his prominence in national politics. His 2026 memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, has been reviewed by The New York Times and The Atlantic, receiving attention for its candid exploration of his personal background and political development.

Legacy

Newsom's legacy is closely linked to several defining moments and policy positions. His 2004 same-sex marriage directive in San Francisco is considered a landmark event in the history of LGBTQ rights in the United States, presaging the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage by more than a decade. As governor of the most populous state in the nation, Newsom has shaped policy on climate change, housing, and gun regulation in ways that have influenced national debates on these issues.

His career has also reflected the tensions within the Democratic Party between its progressive and moderate wings. Newsom's early career was marked by pragmatic, business-oriented positions that sometimes placed him at odds with San Francisco's progressive establishment, while his later career has been characterized by more liberal stances on social and environmental issues. His 2026 national tour and messaging about cultural normalcy within the Democratic Party suggest an ongoing effort to define the party's direction.

As of early 2026, Newsom is in his final year as governor of California, term-limited from seeking reelection. His national campaigning and media presence have prompted speculation about his future political ambitions, though he has framed his activities as focused on the 2026 midterm elections and the broader direction of the Democratic Party.