Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Gavin Newsom

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Gavin Newsom.

Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 40th Governor of California, a position he has held since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, his political career includes serving as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019, and prior to that, as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Newsom's career reflects a long-standing involvement in California politics and government.

Sections (5)

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

2000: Controversy over Republican Slate Mailer Contribution

In 2000, Gavin Newsom faced attacks for contributing $500 to a Republican slate mailer that endorsed issues he supported while running for Supervisor.

2000: State law passed

In 2000, a state law was passed that would later be violated by Newsom in 2004 when he directed the San Francisco city–county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

2003: Care Not Cash Initiative

In 2003, Gavin Newsom's signature achievement as a supervisor was the Care Not Cash (Measure N) voter initiative, which offered care, supportive housing, drug treatment, and help from behavioral health specialists for the homeless in lieu of direct cash aid from the state's general assistance program.

August 2004: California Supreme Court Annulled Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

In August 2004, the Supreme Court of California annulled the same-sex marriage licenses Newsom had authorized, as they conflicted with state law.

2005: Affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk

In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who was his appointments secretary at the time.

January 31, 2007: Resignation of Alex Tourk

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

2008: Newsom opposed Proposition 8

During the 2008 election, Newsom opposed Proposition 8, a ballot initiative aimed at reversing the Supreme Court of California's ruling on the constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

2009: Newsom under attack for sanctuary city rule failure

In 2009, Newsom faced criticism from the San Francisco Democratic Party for allegedly failing to implement the city's sanctuary city rule regarding assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

May 2012: Newsom begins hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show" and faces criticism for Sacramento comments

In May 2012, Gavin Newsom began hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show" on Current TV and faced criticism for describing Sacramento as "dull."

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2018: Repeat of Events in 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.

2018: Ruby Rippey-Tourk's Comments on #MeToo Movement

In 2018, Ruby Rippey-Tourk stated that she did not believe Newsom's behavior should be associated with the #MeToo movement, emphasizing that she was a free-thinking adult at the time of the affair.

March 13, 2019: Declared Moratorium on Death Penalty

On March 13, 2019, Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the state's death penalty, preventing any executions while he remained governor. He also withdrew the state's lethal injection protocol and closed the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

September 2019: Vetoed SB 1

In September 2019, Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1, which would have preserved environmental protections at the state level that were set to roll back nationally under the Trump administration's environmental policy.

January 2020: False Claims Regarding Wildfire Prevention

In January 2020, 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 21, 2020: Recall petition introduced against Newsom

On February 21, 2020, a recall petition was introduced against Gavin Newsom, citing his sanctuary state policy and other grievances.

June 10, 2020: Recall petition approved for circulation

On June 10, 2020, the California secretary of state approved the recall petition against Newsom for circulation.

August 2020: Signatures for recall petition submitted and verified

By August 2020, 55,000 signatures were submitted and verified by the secretary of state for the recall petition.

September 2020: Signed Bill on Transgender Inmate Placement

In September 2020, Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing California transgender inmates to be placed in prisons corresponding with their gender identity, subject to certain restrictions. The Women's Liberation Front filed a lawsuit in response.

October 2020: Additional valid signatures submitted for recall petition

In October 2020, 890 new valid signatures were submitted for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom.

November 2020: Newsom's attendance at The French Laundry event increases support for recall.

In November 2020, Gavin Newsom's attendance at a party at The French Laundry, contributed to the recall's growing support.

November 17, 2020: Initial signature deadline for recall petition

The initial signature deadline for the recall petition was set for November 17, 2020, but was later extended due to the pandemic.

January 2021: Reported Mismanagement of Unemployment Benefits

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

March 17, 2021: Extended signature deadline for recall petition

Due to the pandemic, the signature deadline for the recall petition was extended to March 17, 2021.

June 23, 2021: Reported False Claims Regarding Wildfire Prevention

On June 23, 2021, CapRadio reported that Newsom and Cal Fire had falsely claimed in January 2020 that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated; the actual treated area was significantly less. Leaked emails also revealed an order to remove the original statement.

2021: Unsuccessful Recall Effort

In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced an unsuccessful recall effort, driven by controversies and frustration with his leadership.

January 13, 2022: Denied Parole to Sirhan Sirhan

On January 13, 2022, Gavin Newsom denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, despite a parole board's recommendation for release.

January 2022: Directed Dismantling of Death Row at San Quentin

In January 2022, Gavin Newsom directed the state to begin dismantling its death row in San Quentin, with plans to transform it into a "space for rehabilitation programs".

April 2022: Reported Failure of Fire Prevention Program

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

March 2023: Newsom Criticized Walgreens and Threatened to Cut Ties

In March 2023, after Walgreens announced it would refuse to dispense abortion pills in states where it is illegal, Gavin Newsom criticized the company and threatened to cut ties, including a $54 million contract with the California state prison system.

October 2023: Veto of Caste Discrimination Ban

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that aimed to ban discrimination based on caste, deeming it "unnecessary".

November 2023: Debate with Ron DeSantis

In November 2023, Gavin Newsom debated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, moderated by Sean Hannity of Fox News.

February 2024: Newsom Pushed for Exemption in AB 1228

In February 2024, Bloomberg News reported that Newsom pushed for an exemption for businesses that bake and sell bread in AB 1228, which raises the state's minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour. The exemption includes 24 Panera Bread bakery-cafes owned by Greg Flynn, a businessman who donated to Newsom's campaigns.

September 2024: Newsom Signed AB 3206 Into Law

In September 2024, the Los Angeles Times reported that Newsom had signed AB 3206 into law, carving out an exception to the state's last call alcohol law for one specific venue, Intuit Dome, owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Ethics experts criticized the bill for exclusively benefiting a major donor to Newsom.

December 2024: Criticism of Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Gavin Newsom criticized President Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, stating, "I'm disappointed and can't support the decision."

2024: Bill Signed Prohibiting Notification of Parents About Student Gender Identity

In 2024, Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that prohibits schools from notifying parents about a minor student's gender identity without the student's consent. The law has faced criticism from parents, conservative organizations, and Republican legislators.