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 currently serving as the 40th governor of California since 2019. A Democrat, his political career includes serving as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019, and as the 42nd mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. He is a prominent figure in California politics.

Sections (5)

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

2000: Contributed to Republican Slate Mailer

In 2000, Gavin Newsom faced criticism for contributing $500 to a Republican slate mailer that endorsed issues he supported, causing controversy during his mayoral campaign in 2003.

2000: Re-elected to the Board of Supervisors

In 2000, Gavin Newsom was re-elected to represent the second district in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He also controversially paid $500 to the San Francisco Republican Party.

2003: Care Not Cash Initiative

In 2003, Gavin Newsom's signature achievement as a supervisor was the Care Not Cash initiative (Measure N), which offered care and supportive services for the homeless in lieu of direct cash aid, raising his political profile.

August 2004: Same-Sex Marriages Annulled

In August 2004, the Supreme Court of California annulled the same-sex marriages that Gavin Newsom had authorized as they conflicted with state law, bringing national attention to the issue.

2005: Newsom's Affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk

In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his appointments secretary.

January 31, 2007: Alex Tourk Resigns After Affair Revelation

On January 31, 2007, Alex Tourk resigned after learning about an affair between his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, and Gavin Newsom, which occurred in 2005.

May 2012: Begins Hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show"

In May 2012, while serving as lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom began hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show" on Current TV. He also drew criticism for calling Sacramento "dull".

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2012: Voters upheld capital punishment

In 2012, the state's voters upheld capital punishment in an election.

2016: Voters agreed to move condemned to other prisons

In 2016, the state's voters agreed to move the condemned to other prisons.

2018: Rippey-Tourk Comments on Newsom Affair

In 2018, Ruby Rippey-Tourk said that she thought it wrong to associate Newsom's behavior with the #MeToo movement.

February 2019: Newsom announces changes to high-speed rail project

In his February 2019 State of the State address, Gavin Newsom announced that work would continue on the Central Valley segment of the high-speed rail project, but the rest of the system would be indefinitely postponed due to cost overruns and delays. This decision created tension with the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.

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 execution while he remained governor and leading to the closure of the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison. Newsom cited the death penalty as a racist system.

June 2019: Newsom Apologizes for Genocide of Native Americans

In June 2019, Gavin Newsom apologized for the genocide of Native Americans, acknowledging the California state government's role in approving and abetting these actions in the 19th century.

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.

November 2019: Imposed moratorium on hydraulic fracturing

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

December 2019: Granted parole to Cambodian refugee

In December 2019, Gavin Newsom granted parole to a Cambodian refugee who had been held in a California prison due to a murder case. Despite immigrant rights groups' wishes, the refugee was turned over for possible deportation upon release.

January 2020: False claims about 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 21, 2020: Recall Petition Introduced

On February 21, 2020, a recall petition against Gavin Newsom was introduced by Orrin Heatlie, citing grievances such as Newsom's sanctuary state policy, high homelessness, high taxes, and low quality of life in California.

April 2020: Resumed issuing new hydraulic fracturing permits

In April 2020, state agencies resumed issuing new hydraulic fracturing permits.

June 10, 2020: Recall Petition Approved for Circulation

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

August 2020: Signatures Submitted and Verified

By August 2020, 55,000 signatures were submitted and verified by the secretary of state, for the recall campaign against Gavin Newsom.

September 2020: Signed bill on transgender inmates

In September 2020, Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill allowing California transgender inmates to be placed in prisons corresponding with their gender identity, with potential denials based on security concerns. The Women's Liberation Front subsequently filed a lawsuit against the bill.

October 2020: Signatures Submitted

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

November 2020: Attendance at The French Laundry

In November 2020, Gavin Newsom attended a party at The French Laundry, despite his public health measures. This event was one factor contributing to the growing support for the recall effort, after it occurred on November 6.

November 17, 2020: Original Deadline for Recall Signatures

November 17, 2020, was the original deadline for submitting signatures for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom. However, it was later extended due to the pandemic.

January 2021: Unemployment benefits mismanagement

In January 2021, it was reported that Newsom's administration had mismanaged $11.4 billion by disbursing unemployment benefits to ineligible claimants, with another $19 billion in claims under investigation for fraud. Legitimate claimants faced delays.

March 17, 2021: Extended Deadline for Recall Signatures

March 17, 2021, marked the extended deadline for submitting signatures for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom. By this time, 1,664,010 verified signatures had been submitted since November 2020.

June 10, 2021: Newsom criticizes judge and proposes legislation after gun ban struck down

On June 10, 2021, Gavin Newsom criticized federal Judge Roger Benitez after he struck down California's ban on assault weapons. Newsom then proposed legislation to empower private citizens to enforce the ban, following the Supreme Court's decision regarding the Texas Heartbeat Act.

June 23, 2021: Reported false claims about wildfire prevention

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

2021: Connie Ballmer donates $1 million to the Newsom campaign

In 2021, Connie Ballmer, wife of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, donated $1 million to the Newsom campaign.

2021: Faced Recall Effort

In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced an unsuccessful recall effort due to controversies and frustration with his leadership during his governorship and the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Newsom defends wife's nonprofit's corporate donations

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

2021: Poll suggested declining support for death penalty

In 2021, a poll suggested declining support for the death penalty among California's voters.

January 13, 2022: Denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan

On January 13, 2022, Gavin Newsom denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, citing Sirhan's lack of insight and refusal to accept responsibility for his actions.

January 2022: Directed dismantling of death row

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

2022: Newsom criticized for not supporting single-payer health care

In early 2022, Newsom faced criticism for walking back his support for universal health care and not supporting Assembly Bill 1400, which would have instituted single-payer health care in California. Critics alleged that his change in opinion was influenced by opposition from business interests.

March 2023: Newsom announces California will cut ties with Walgreens over abortion pill policy

In March 2023, after Walgreens announced it would not dispense abortion pills in states where it is illegal, Newsom declared that California would cease doing business with Walgreens and explore ways to cancel the company's contracts with the state.

March 2023: Wine Companies Acknowledged as Silicon Valley Bank Clients

In March 2023, during the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, it was acknowledged that at least three of Gavin Newsom's wine companies, PlumpJack, Cade and Odette, were clients of the bank.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bill to Ban Caste Discrimination

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to ban discrimination based on caste, deeming it "unnecessary", sparking both applause from Hindu rights organizations and sharp criticism from advocates for oppressed castes.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bill Providing Unemployment Insurance to Striking Workers

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to provide unemployment insurance to striking workers, citing the excess burden on the state's unemployment system. He also vetoed a bill related to layoff protections and non-disclosure agreements.

November 2023: Newsom Debates DeSantis on Fox News

In November 2023, Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis debated on Fox News, with Sean Hannity as the moderator.

February 2024: Newsom pushed for exemption for businesses that bake and sell bread in AB 1228

In February 2024, Bloomberg News reported that Newsom advocated for an exemption in AB 1228, a bill increasing the state's minimum wage for fast food workers, for businesses that bake and sell bread, specifically benefiting 24 Panera Bread bakery-cafes owned by Greg Flynn, a major Newsom campaign donor. Republican lawmakers subsequently called for an investigation.

September 2024: Newsom signs bill benefiting Intuit Dome

In September 2024, Gavin Newsom signed AB 3206 into law, creating an exception to the state's alcohol law for the Intuit Dome, owned by Steve Ballmer, a major donor to Newsom's campaign in 2021. This action drew criticism from ethics experts who viewed it as a special favor to a wealthy donor.

December 2024: Newsom Criticizes Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Gavin Newsom criticized Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, expressing his disappointment and lack of support for the decision.

2024: Newsom Signs Bill Restricting Parental Notification on 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. This law has sparked controversy, with proponents arguing for student privacy and opponents raising concerns about parental rights.