Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and businessman serving as the 40th Governor of California since 2019. A Democrat, he previously served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California (2011–2019) and as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco (2004–2011).
Born in San Francisco, Newsom graduated from Santa Clara University in 1989 with a B.S. in political science. He later founded the PlumpJack Group with backing from family friend Gordon Getty, growing a portfolio of wineries, restaurants, hotels, and related businesses.
Newsom’s early political rise came in San Francisco municipal government, first as an appointee to the Parking and Traffic Commission, then to the Board of Supervisors, and ultimately as Mayor. As mayor, he drew national attention in 2004 by authorizing same-sex marriages, and he pursued initiatives centered on housing, public health, and homelessness response.
As governor, Newsom has emphasized housing and infrastructure, climate-aligned development, gun safety, and LGBTQ+ rights, while facing scrutiny over crisis management, homelessness outcomes, and high-profile controversies such as the French Laundry incident during COVID-era restrictions. He has also elevated his national profile in recent years through high-visibility political engagement and media projects.
Mainstream Liberal
Achievements
- Elected Governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
- Served as Lieutenant Governor of California (2011–2019).
- As Mayor of San Francisco, gained national attention for authorizing same-sex marriages (2004).
- Advanced major climate, housing, and infrastructure initiatives as governor.
- Elevated California’s national political profile through high-visibility policy fights and media engagement.
Controversies
- French Laundry dinner during COVID-era restrictions.
- Criticism over homelessness outcomes and public safety debates.
- High-speed rail delays and cost overrun scrutiny.
- Pandemic-era unemployment fraud and administrative performance criticism.
- Ongoing political disputes over energy policy, regulation, and crisis response.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Indians | $162,000 | — | — |
| Service Employees International Union | $154,300 | — | — |
| Laborers Union | 129,900 | — | — |
| DreamWorks | $97,200 | — | — |
| Prospector LLC | $97,200 | — | — |
Replace placeholders with your preferred donor rollup (industry/network notes optional).
Recent Elections
2018 Margin D +23.8%
2021 Recall Margin D +24.0%
2022 Margin D +18.1%