Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom
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Name	Gavin Newsom
Caption	Newsom in 2023
Order	40th
Office	Governor of California
Lieutenant	Eleni Kounalakis
Term start	January 7, 2019
Predecessor	Jerry Brown
Order2	49th
Office2	Lieutenant Governor of California
Governor2	Jerry Brown
Term start2	January 10, 2011
Term end2	January 7, 2019
Predecessor2	Abel Maldonado
Successor2	Eleni Kounalakis
Order3	42nd
Office3	Mayor of San Francisco
Term start3	January 8, 2004
Term end3	January 10, 2011
Predecessor3	Willie Brown
Successor3	Ed Lee
Birth date	10 October 1967
Birth place	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Jennifer Siebel, 2008
Education	Santa Clara University (BA)

Gavin Newsom is an American politician serving as the 40th Governor of California since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019 and as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. His tenure has been defined by progressive policies on climate change, healthcare, and social issues, as well as high-profile confrontations with the administrations of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.

Early life and education

Gavin Newsom was born in San Francisco to parents Tessa and William Newsom, a state appellate court judge. He grew up in the Marin County area and attended Redwood High School before enrolling at Santa Clara University. At Santa Clara University, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science after playing baseball for the Santa Clara Broncos. His family connections, including his father's friendship with prominent figures like Gordon Getty and Willie Brown, provided early exposure to California politics and business.

Early career and business ventures

After college, Newsom founded the PlumpJack wine store in 1992 with financial backing from the Getty family, specifically Gordon Getty. This venture expanded into the successful PlumpJack Group, which grew to include a portfolio of Napa Valley wineries, restaurants, and hotels. His business success in the San Francisco Bay Area established his financial independence and public profile, leading to his appointment to the San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission by Mayor Willie Brown in 1996. He was subsequently elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1998, representing the Pacific Heights district.

Political career

Elected Mayor of San Francisco in 2003, Newsom gained national attention in 2004 by directing city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a controversial move preceding the national legalization of same-sex marriage. As mayor, he championed initiatives like Care Not Cash, aimed at homelessness, and oversaw developments such as the Mission Bay project. In 2010, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of California, serving under Governor Jerry Brown. During his two terms, he chaired the State Lands Commission and focused on economic development and University of California affairs.

Governor of California

Sworn in as governor in January 2019, Newsom's administration has been marked by ambitious policy agendas and managing major crises. He signed a suite of aggressive climate laws, including a mandate for all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035, and expanded healthcare access through programs like Medi-Cal. His tenure has been dominated by the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating wildfires, and a historic drought. He easily defeated a recall election in 2021 and won re-election in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Political positions and public image

Newsom is a prominent progressive voice advocating for strong environmental regulations, gun control measures like the state's ammunition background check law, and expanding social safety nets. He has engaged in highly publicized political debates with Republican governors, notably purchasing advertising in Florida to criticize Governor Ron DeSantis. His support for abortion rights and LGBT rights aligns with the Democratic Party's platform, though he faces criticism from some on the left regarding homelessness policy and from conservatives over state mandates. He is frequently mentioned as a potential future Democratic presidential candidate.

Personal life

Newsom married television host Kimberly Guilfoyle in 2001; they divorced in 2006. He married documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel in 2008. The couple has four children and resides primarily at the California Governor's Mansion in Sacramento. An avid supporter of San Francisco sports teams, he has also been open about his struggles with dyslexia, which he was diagnosed with during his youth. His sister, Hilary Newsom, is a film producer and serves on the San Francisco Film Commission.

Category:Governors of California Category:Lieutenant Governors of California Category:Mayors of San Francisco