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 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

2000: Contributed to Republican slate mailer

In 2000, Gavin Newsom contributed $500 to a Republican slate mailer that endorsed issues he supported.

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.

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: Rippey-Tourk speaks out about affair

In 2018, Ruby Rippey-Tourk said that she thought it wrong to associate Gavin Newsom's behavior with the #MeToo movement, emphasizing her agency as a "free-thinking, 33-yr old adult married woman and mother" during the affair.

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.

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.

November 2019: Moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and steam-injected oil drilling

In November 2019, Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on approval of new hydraulic fracturing and steam-injected oil drilling in California. This was until the permits for those projects could be reviewed by an independent panel of scientists.

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.

September 2020: Newsom signs bill on transgender inmates' housing

In September 2020, Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing California transgender inmates to be placed in prisons corresponding with their gender identity, with possible denials based on security concerns.

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.

June 10, 2021: Newsom criticizes Judge Benitez and proposes legislation

On June 10, 2021, Gavin Newsom criticized federal Judge Roger Benitez and proposed legislation empowering private citizens to enforce California's ban on assault weapons after the United States Supreme Court declined to strike down the Texas Heartbeat Act.

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.

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: Connie Ballmer donates to Newsom campaign

In 2021, Connie Ballmer donated $1 million to the Newsom campaign, which led to criticism and ethics concerns in 2024, when Newsom signed AB 3206 into law, carving out an exception to the state's last call alcohol law for Intuit Dome, a venue owned by her husband.

2021: Newsom defends his wife's nonprofit accepting donations from lobbying companies

In 2021, Governor Newsom stated that he saw no conflict in his wife's nonprofit, The Representation Project, accepting donations from companies that lobby his administration.

2021: Poll suggests declining support for capital punishment

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

January 13, 2022: Newsom denies parole to Sirhan Sirhan

On January 13, 2022, Gavin Newsom denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, despite a parole board recommendation, citing Sirhan's lack of insight into his crime.

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.

March 2023: Newsom announces cutting ties with Walgreens

In March 2023, after Walgreens announced it would refuse to dispense abortion pills in 21 states where it is illegal, Newsom tweeted that California would cut ties with Walgreens, accusing them of cowering to extremists. He indicated he wanted to cancel Walgreens' $54 million contract with the California state prison system.

October 2023: Newsom visits China

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom embarked on a week-long visit to China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai, where he discussed climate change, trade relations, and fentanyl production with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

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.

November 2023: Newsom debates DeSantis on Fox News

In November 2023, Gavin Newsom and Florida governor Ron DeSantis debated on Fox News, with Sean Hannity as the moderator. This high-profile event highlighted the political contrasts between the two governors.

February 2024: Newsom pushed for Panera Bread exemption in minimum wage bill

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

September 2024: AB 3206 signed into law for Intuit Dome alcohol exception

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. This was owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, whose wife donated $1 million to Newsom's campaign in 2021, which led to criticism and ethics concerns.

December 2024: Newsom criticizes Biden for pardoning his son

In December 2024, Gavin Newsom criticized President Biden for pardoning his son Hunter Biden, stating that he was "disappointed and can't support the decision," showcasing his willingness to disagree with his own party's leadership.

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.