Challenges Faced by Gavin Newsom: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Gavin Newsom faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 40th governor of California since 2019. A Democrat, he previously held the office of the 49th lieutenant governor of California from 2011 to 2019. Prior to his statewide roles, Newsom was the 42nd mayor of San Francisco, serving from 2004 to 2011. His career reflects a trajectory of political leadership within California, progressing from local to state-level governance.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1985: Elbow Surgery

In late 1985, Gavin Newsom underwent elbow surgery, later revealed as a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, ending his varsity baseball aspirations.

2005: Newsom has affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk

In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who was his appointments secretary at the time. This affair led to the resignation of Alex Tourk in January 2007.

January 31, 2007: Alex Tourk confronts Newsom and resigns

On January 31, 2007, Gavin Newsom's close friend, campaign manager, and former chief of staff Alex Tourk confronted him after learning about an affair between Newsom and Tourk's wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, in 2005. Tourk immediately resigned.

February 2007: Newsom seeks treatment for alcohol use disorder

In February 2007, Gavin Newsom announced he would seek treatment for alcohol use disorder, acknowledging a personal struggle and seeking help.

2012: California voters uphold capital punishment

In 2012, California voters upheld capital punishment.

2016: California voters agree to move condemned to other prisons

In 2016, California voters agreed to move the condemned to other prisons.

2018: Fire destroyed the town of Paradise

In 2018, a fire destroyed the town of Paradise, where at least eight evacuees burned to death in their vehicles.

January 2019: Newsom announces lawsuit against Huntington Beach

In late January 2019, Gavin Newsom announced that he would sue Huntington Beach for preventing the construction of affordable housing. This was part of his broader effort to address California's housing shortage by holding communities accountable for taking action.

March 13, 2019: Newsom declares moratorium on death penalty

On March 13, 2019, Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the death penalty in California, halting executions and closing the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

September 2019: Newsom vetoes SB 1

In September 2019, Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1, which would have preserved environmental protections at the state level.

January 2020: Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed success in wildfire prevention

In January 2020, Gavin Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns.

February 2020: Newsom administration sues federal agencies

In February 2020, the Gavin Newsom administration sued federal agencies over the rollbacks to protect imperiled fish in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in 2019.

March 4, 2020: Newsom declares state of emergency due to COVID-19

On March 4, 2020, Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California after the first COVID-19 death, aiming to prepare for and contain the virus's spread, allowing for easier procurement of resources and prioritization of mitigating policies for the homeless population.

March 22, 2020: Newsom declares state of emergency for wildfire season

On March 22, 2020, Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to a mass die-off of trees throughout California, increasing the risk of wildfires in preparation for the 2020 wildfire season.

September 2020: Newsom approval rating was 64%

In September 2020, Gavin Newsom's approval rating was 64%.

2020: Newsom administration enacted stringent pandemic restrictions

In 2020, the Newsom administration enacted some of the country's most stringent pandemic restrictions.

January 2021: California had one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country

By January 2021, California had one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, using about 30% of its available vaccines.

January 2021: Newsom's administration mismanaged unemployment benefits

In January 2021, the Los Angeles Times reported that Gavin Newsom's administration had mismanaged $11.4 billion by disbursing unemployment benefits to ineligible claimants, and another $19 billion in claims remained under investigation for fraud.

February 2021: Julie Su appointed as deputy secretary of labor

In February 2021, Julie Su, Newsom appointee and California Labor Secretary, was appointed as deputy secretary of labor by President Joe Biden.

February 2021: Newsom approval rating declines

In February 2021, a poll found that Gavin Newsom's approval rate was down to 46%, with 48% disapproval, the highest of his tenure, due to public opinion of his management of the pandemic.

May 2021: California had 29th-highest death rate despite stringent restrictions

By May 2021, despite stringent pandemic restrictions in 2020, California had the 29th-highest death rate among all 50 states.

June 23, 2021: Report reveals Newsom and Cal Fire overstated wildfire prevention efforts

On June 23, 2021, CapRadio reported that Gavin Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed in January 2020 that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated, when the actual treated area was only 11,399 acres.

September 2021: California vaccination rate increases

By September 2021, over half the California population was fully vaccinated, ranking #16 out of the 50 states.

2021: California owed $23 billion for unemployment benefits

By the summer of 2021, California owed $23 billion to the federal government for unemployment benefits paid out during the pandemic, which was 43% of all unemployment debt owed by 13 states at the time.

2021: Newsom faced a recall election

In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced a recall election, a significant challenge to his governorship.

2021: Faced Recall Effort

In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced an unsuccessful recall effort due to criticism surrounding his personal behavior and leadership style during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Poll suggests declining support for capital punishment

In 2021, a poll suggested declining support for capital punishment among California voters.

January 2022: Newsom directs dismantling of death row

In January 2022, Gavin Newsom directed California to begin dismantling its death row at San Quentin, planning to transform it into a "space for rehabilitation programs".

April 2022: Report finds fire prevention program failed

In April 2022, a report found a program, hailed in 2020 by the Newsom administration to fast-track environmental reviews on high-priority fire prevention projects, had failed to make progress.

2022: Newsom declares NIMBYism is destroying the state

In 2022, Gavin Newsom declared that NIMBYism (not-in-my-back-yard) is destroying the state, underscoring his opposition to local resistance to housing development.

January 2023: Homelessness reaches record high in California

In January 2023, the number of homeless people in California hit a record high of over 181,000, underscoring the ongoing challenges in addressing the state's housing and homelessness crisis.

October 2023: Newsom vetoes bill to ban caste discrimination

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to ban discrimination based on caste, calling it "unnecessary" due to existing protections against discrimination. The veto was applauded by Hindu rights organizations and criticized by advocates for Dalit rights.

October 2023: Newsom vetoes bills on unemployment insurance and layoff protections

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to provide unemployment insurance to striking workers, citing the burden on the state's system. He also vetoed a bill to expand layoff protections, arguing it would negatively impact businesses.

October 2023: Newsom vetoes bills to expand housing assistance

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills aimed at expanding access to housing assistance, including one to repurpose state-owned land for affordable housing, citing concerns over state sovereignty.

August 2024: Newsom warns counties on homeless encampments

In August 2024, Gavin Newsom warned counties that failure to remove homeless encampments would result in their state funding being cut off the next year. This warning followed his personal visit to and clearing of a Los Angeles homeless encampment.

2024: Newsom calls for California lawmakers to safeguard policies

After Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Gavin Newsom called for California lawmakers to convene later in 2024 to safeguard California's policies from the upcoming Trump administration, signaling a proactive approach to protecting state interests.

June 2025: Newsom sues Trump over troop deployment

In June 2025, following federal immigration raids and protests in Los Angeles, Gavin Newsom, as the State of California, filed a federal lawsuit, Newsom v. Trump, challenging the legality of President Trump's deployment of troops to California.

July 2025: DOJ names California, Newsom, and public officials in lawsuit

In July 2025, the Department of Justice named the state of California, Gavin Newsom, and other California public officials in a lawsuit targeting the state's regulations against intensive battery cage eggs, including Proposition 2 and Proposition 12.