History of Gavin Newsom in Timeline
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.
October 10, 1967: Gavin Newsom Born
On October 10, 1967, Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco, California. He is now an American politician and businessman, serving as the 40th governor of California since 2019.
1971: Parents' Divorce
In 1971, Gavin Newsom's parents divorced when he was three years old, leading his mother, Tessa, to raise him and his sister largely on her own.
1985: Graduated from Redwood High School and Elbow Surgery
In 1985, Gavin Newsom graduated from Redwood High School and underwent elbow surgery which ended his baseball aspirations. He played basketball and baseball, and appeared on the cover of the Marin Independent Journal.
1989: Graduated from Santa Clara University
In 1989, Gavin Newsom graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in political science, after attending on a partial baseball scholarship.
May 14, 1991: Founded PlumpJack Associates L.P.
On May 14, 1991, Gavin Newsom and his investors created the company PlumpJack Associates L.P. to pursue business ventures.
1992: Started PlumpJack Winery
In 1992, Gavin Newsom, with the help of Gordon Getty, started the PlumpJack Winery, marking the beginning of his ventures in the wine industry.
1993: Opened PlumpJack Café
In 1993, the PlumpJack Cafe Partners L.P. opened the PlumpJack Café on Fillmore Street, expanding Newsom's business ventures.
1994: Opened PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn
In 1994, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn with a PlumpJack Café, expanding the PlumpJack brand.
1995: Opened Winery in Napa Valley and Balboa Cafe
In 1995, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened a winery in Napa Valley and the Balboa Café Bar and Grill, growing their business empire.
1995: Volunteered for Willie Brown's Mayoral Campaign
In 1995, Gavin Newsom volunteered for Willie Brown's successful campaign for mayor and hosted a fundraiser at his PlumpJack Café, marking his entry into politics.
1996: Opened PlumpJack Development Fund L.P.
In 1996, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the PlumpJack Development Fund L.P., further expanding the scope of their business activities.
1996: Appointed to Parking and Traffic Commission
In 1996, Gavin Newsom was appointed by Willie Brown to a vacant seat on the Parking and Traffic Commission, beginning his official role in city government.
1997: Appointed to Board of Supervisors
In 1997, Gavin Newsom was appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, filling a seat vacated by Kevin Shelley, becoming the youngest member of the board.
1998: Opened MatrixFillmore Bar
In 1998, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the MatrixFillmore Bar, adding another establishment to their portfolio.
1998: Elected to a full term on the Board of Supervisors
In 1998, Gavin Newsom was elected to a full four-year term to the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, solidifying his position in city government.
1998: Elected to the Board of Supervisors
In 1998, Gavin Newsom was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, after being appointed to fill a vacancy the previous year by Willie Brown.
1998: Endorsed by Rescue Muni
In his 1998 reelection bid, Gavin Newsom was one of two supervisors endorsed by Rescue Muni, a transit riders group, highlighting his focus on transportation issues.
November 1999: Voters Approved Transit Measure
In November 1999, a transit measure sponsored by Newsom and Rescue Muni was approved by voters, aiming to improve the city's municipal railway.
1999: Opened PlumpJack Wines Noe Valley Branch
In 1999, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the PlumpJack Wines shop Noe Valley branch, expanding their retail presence.
1999: San Francisco Changed to District System
In 1999, San Francisco voters chose to abandon at-large elections to the board for the previous district system, changing the electoral landscape for supervisors.
2000: Opened PlumpJackSport and Second Balboa Cafe
In 2000, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened PlumpJackSport retail clothing and a second Balboa Café at Squaw Valley, adding to their portfolio of businesses.
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.
December 2001: Newsom Marries Kimberly Guilfoyle
In December 2001, Gavin Newsom married legal commentator Kimberly Guilfoyle at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
2001: Annual income was greater than $429,000
From 1996 to 2001, Gavin Newsom's annual income was greater than $429,000, reflecting his success in business.
2002: Re-elected to the Board of Supervisors
In 2002, Gavin Newsom was re-elected to represent the second district in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, continuing his service in that role.
2002: Business Holdings Valued at Over $6.9 Million
In 2002, Gavin Newsom's business holdings were valued at more than $6.9 million, highlighting his financial success as an entrepreneur.
November 4, 2003: Placed First in General Election
On November 4, 2003, Gavin Newsom placed first in the general election with 41.9% of the vote, setting the stage for a runoff against Matt Gonzalez.
2003: Elected Mayor of San Francisco
In 2003, Gavin Newsom was elected as the mayor of San Francisco, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
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.
January 3, 2004: Sworn in as Mayor
On January 3, 2004, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as mayor of San Francisco, promising unity and addressing key issues such as public schools and affordable housing.
July 1, 2004: Care Not Cash Implementation
On July 1, 2004, Gavin Newsom's initiative, Care Not Cash, began implementation, which aimed to provide permanent shelter to 5,000 homeless individuals in San Francisco.
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.
October 27, 2004: Supports Hotel Workers Strike
On October 27, 2004, Gavin Newsom joined UNITE HERE union members on a picket line in front of the Westin St. Francis Hotel during a strike by hotel workers. He pledged that the city would boycott the hotels until they agreed to a contract with the workers.
2004: Newsom and Guilfoyle Separate
In 2004, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle separated.
2004: Became Mayor of San Francisco
In 2004, Gavin Newsom became the 42nd mayor of San Francisco, a position he held until 2011. This marked a significant step in his political career.
2004: Sold San Francisco Businesses
In 2004, Gavin Newsom sold his share of his San Francisco businesses when he became mayor, focusing on his political career.
January 2005: Newsom and Guilfoyle File for Divorce
In January 2005, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle jointly filed for divorce, citing "difficulties due to their careers on opposite coasts".
2005: Newsom's Affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk
In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his appointments secretary.
February 2006: Purchased Residence in Russian Hill
In February 2006, Gavin Newsom paid $2,350,000 for his residence in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.
February 28, 2006: Newsom and Guilfoyle's Divorce Finalized
On February 28, 2006, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle's divorce was finalized.
September 2006: Newsom Briefly Dates Brittanie Mountz
In September 2006, Gavin Newsom, then 38, briefly dated 19-year-old Brittanie Mountz, a model and restaurant hostess.
October 2006: Newsom Begins Dating Jennifer Siebel
In October 2006, Gavin Newsom began dating film director Jennifer Siebel.
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.
February 2007: Newsom Seeks Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In February 2007, Gavin Newsom announced he would seek treatment for alcohol use disorder.
August 10, 2007: Filing Deadline for Mayoral Election
On August 10, 2007, the filing deadline for the San Francisco mayoral election passed, shifting the discussion to Newsom's second term and the challenges he faced from 13 candidates.
August 2007: Expected to Win Re-election
In August 2007, the San Francisco Chronicle declared that Gavin Newsom faced no serious threat to his re-election bid for mayor, having raised $1.6 million for his campaign.
December 2007: Newsom and Siebel Announce Engagement
In December 2007, Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel announced their engagement.
2007: Earned income from business interests
In 2007, Gavin Newsom earned between $141,000 and $251,000 from his business interests, showing continued financial success.
2007: Reelected as Mayor of San Francisco
In 2007, Gavin Newsom was reelected as the mayor of San Francisco, securing his position for a second term.
July 2008: Newsom Marries Jennifer Siebel
In July 2008, Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel were married in Stevensville, Montana.
2008: Newsom Describes Himself as an "Irish Catholic Rebel"
In 2008, Gavin Newsom described himself as an "Irish Catholic rebel" with admiration for the Church and strong faith, while also acknowledging the crisis within the Catholic Church. He stated he stays with the Church because of his "strong connection to a greater purpose, and to sort of a higher being".
2008: Care Not Cash Evaluated as Successful
In 2008, a city audit released four years after the start of the program evaluated Newsom's Care Not Cash initiative as largely successful, marking a positive assessment of his policy.
April 2009: Put Residence on the Market
In April 2009, Gavin Newsom put his residence in the Russian Hill neighborhood on the market for $3,000,000.
February 2010: Files Paperwork for Lieutenant Governor Run
In February 2010, Gavin Newsom filed initial paperwork to run for lieutenant governor of California.
2010: Elected Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2010, Gavin Newsom was elected as the lieutenant governor of California, further advancing his political career.
2010: Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee won less than 60% of the vote
In 2010, it was the first time since this year that the Democratic gubernatorial nominee did not win at least 60% of the vote.
January 10, 2011: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
On January 10, 2011, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as the lieutenant governor of California, serving under Governor Jerry Brown.
2011: Became Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2011, Gavin Newsom began his service as the 49th lieutenant governor of California, a role he held until 2019 when he became governor.
2011: Newsom Completes Service as Mayor of San Francisco
In 2011, Gavin Newsom completed his service as the mayor of San Francisco.
2011: Guilfoyle Gained Prominence via Fox News
In 2011, Kimberly Guilfoyle gained prominence through her work on a Fox News chat show.
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".
2012: Hosted "The Gavin Newsom Show"
From 2012 to 2013, Gavin Newsom hosted "The Gavin Newsom Show" during his time as lieutenant governor of California.
2012: Newsom and Family Move to Kentfield
In 2012, Gavin Newsom and his family moved to a house they bought in Kentfield in Marin County.
2012: Voters upheld capital punishment
In 2012, the state's voters upheld capital punishment in an election.
February 7, 2013: Release of "Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government"
On February 7, 2013, Gavin Newsom released his first book, "Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government", which discusses the Gov 2.0 movement.
2013: Authored "Citizenville"
In 2013, Gavin Newsom wrote the book "Citizenville", focusing on the use of digital tools for democratic change.
November 4, 2014: Re-elected as Lieutenant Governor
On November 4, 2014, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as the lieutenant governor of California, defeating Ron Nehring with 57.2% of the vote.
2014: Reelected Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2014, Gavin Newsom was reelected as the lieutenant governor of California, confirming his continued role in state leadership.
January 5, 2015: Starts Second Term as Lieutenant Governor
On January 5, 2015, Gavin Newsom's second term as the lieutenant governor of California began.
February 11, 2015: Opens Campaign Account for 2018 Gubernatorial Election
On February 11, 2015, Gavin Newsom announced that he was opening a campaign account for governor in the 2018 California elections.
2016: Newsom was the official proponent of Proposition 63
In 2016, as lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom was the official proponent of Proposition 63. The ballot measure required a background check and California Department of Justice authorization to purchase ammunition, among other gun control regulations.
2016: Voters agreed to move condemned to other prisons
In 2016, the state's voters agreed to move the condemned to other prisons.
February 24, 2017: Response to Federal Enforcement of Recreational Cannabis Laws
On February 24, 2017, Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump, urging them not to increase federal enforcement against recreational cannabis firms in California. He contrasted cannabis with opioids and welcomed efforts to tackle the opioid crisis.
June 5, 2018: Finished in Top Two in Primary Election
On June 5, 2018, Gavin Newsom finished in the top two in the nonpartisan blanket primary for governor of California.
2018: Pledged to tighten state oversight of fracking
During his 2018 campaign, Gavin Newsom pledged to tighten state oversight of fracking and oil extraction.
2018: Elected Governor of California
In 2018, Gavin Newsom was elected as the governor of California, marking the culmination of his political career to date.
2018: Margin of victory in election
In 2018, Gavin Newsom won the election by a certain margin, which was larger than his 2022 victory.
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.
2018: Expedited review for pardon requests
In 2018, a California law mandated that pardon requests from people facing deportation receive expedited review by the state Board of Parole Hearings.
2018: Paradise Fire
In 2018, at least eight evacuees burned to death in their vehicles during the fire that destroyed the town of Paradise.
January 7, 2019: Sworn in as Governor of California
On January 7, 2019, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as the governor of California.
January 2019: Newsom threatens to withhold infrastructure funding and sues Huntington Beach
In late January 2019, Gavin Newsom threatened to withhold state funding for infrastructure to communities failing to address California's housing shortage. He also announced that he would sue Huntington Beach for preventing the construction of affordable housing.
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.
May 2019: Pardoned formerly incarcerated people
In May 2019, Gavin Newsom pardoned seven formerly incarcerated people, including two Cambodian refugees facing deportation, in his first acts of clemency as governor.
May 2019: Newsom Purchases Expensive Home in Fair Oaks
In May 2019, The Sacramento Bee reported that Gavin Newsom's $3.7 million purchase of a 12,000-square-foot home in Fair Oaks was the most expensive private residence sold in the Sacramento region since the year began.
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.
June 2019: Medi-Cal eligibility expanded
In June 2019, the budget passed expanded eligibility for Medi-Cal from solely undocumented minor children to undocumented young adults from ages 19 to 25.
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.
November 2019: Pardoned men facing deportation to Cambodia and Vietnam
In November 2019, Gavin Newsom pardoned three men who were attempting to avoid being deported to Cambodia or Vietnam for crimes they had committed as teenagers.
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.
2019: Studied Abroad in Rome
During his junior year, Gavin Newsom spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy, in 2019, an experience he called 'eye-opening'.
2019: Newsom's veto rate from 2019-2021
From 2019 to 2021, Newsom vetoed 12.7% of the bills the legislature passed on average.
2019: Attended UN Climate Action Summit
In 2019, Gavin Newsom attended the UN Climate Action Summit, speaking of California as a climate leader.
2019: Became Governor of California
In 2019, Gavin Newsom became the 40th governor of California. Prior to this, he served as the 49th lieutenant governor of California and as the 42nd mayor of San Francisco.
2019: Moderate political positions
In 2019, a CalMatters analysis found Gavin Newsom's political positions to be more moderate than those of almost every Democratic state legislator in California.
2019: Newsom calls for nationwide background checks on ammunition purchases
In 2019, in response to the Virginia Beach mass shooting and later the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, Gavin Newsom called for nationwide background checks on people purchasing ammunition and expressed support for national cooperation in controlling "weapons of goddamned mass destruction."
2019: Newsom First Tried to Sell Marin County Home
In early 2019, Gavin Newsom originally put the Marin County property up for sale for $5.895 million, but removed it from the market after a price reduction to $5.695 million.
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 2020: Sued federal agencies over environmental rollbacks
In February 2020, the Newsom administration sued federal agencies over the rollbacks to protect imperiled fish in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in 2019.
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.
March 4, 2020: Declared state of emergency due to COVID-19
On March 4, 2020, Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California after the first death attributable to COVID-19. This was to help the state prepare for and contain the virus' spread and prioritized mitigation policies for the state's homeless population.
March 22, 2020: Declared state of emergency for wildfires
On March 22, 2020, Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to mass die-off of trees throughout California, increasing the risk of wildfires.
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.
August 2020: Addressed Democratic National Convention
In August 2020, Gavin Newsom addressed the 2020 Democratic National Convention, mentioning climate change and the wildfires prevalent in California at the time.
September 2020: Newsom's approval rating
In September 2020, Gavin Newsom had an approval rating of 64%.
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.
September 23, 2020: Executive order to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles
On September 23, 2020, Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to phase out sales of gasoline-powered vehicles and require all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.
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.
2020: Newsom Uses Executive Orders
In 2020, Gavin Newsom used a larger than normal number of executive orders during the legislative session.
2020: Voters thought the most important issue for Newsom and the state legislature to work on in 2020 was homelessness
In 2020, a poll found that California voters thought the most important issue for Newsom and the state legislature to work on was homelessness.
2020: Appointments after Kamala Harris' election
In 2020, after Kamala Harris was elected Vice President, Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla as California's junior U.S. Senator, Shirley Weber as Secretary of State, and Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California.
2020: Stringent pandemic restrictions
In 2020, the Newsom administration enacted some of the country's most stringent pandemic restrictions.
January 2021: Low vaccination rates
In January 2021, California had one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, and had only used about 30% of the vaccines it had at its disposal.
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.
February 2021: Julie Su appointed as deputy secretary of labor
In February 2021, California Labor Secretary Julie Su, a Newsom appointee, was appointed as deputy secretary of labor.
February 2021: Newsom's 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. The decline was attributed to public opinion of his management of the pandemic.
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.
April 2021: Committed to ending sale of gas leases and oil extraction
In April 2021, Gavin Newsom committed to ending the sale of gas leases by 2024 and ending oil extraction by 2045.
May 2021: California's death rate
By May 2021, despite stringent pandemic restrictions, California had the 29th-highest death rate of all 50 states.
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.
August 2021: Newsom Sells Marin County Home
In August 2021, Gavin Newsom sold a Marin County home for $5.9 million in an off-market transaction.
September 14, 2021: Recall Election Held
On September 14, 2021, the recall election for Gavin Newsom was held, and only 38% of voters supported the recall, allowing him to remain in office.
September 2021: Over half the population fully vaccinated
By September 2021, over half the population in California was fully vaccinated, the percentage ranking #16 out of the 50 states.
September 2021: Signed legislation on police reform
In September 2021, Gavin Newsom signed legislation raising the minimum age to become a police officer, restricting the use of tear gas, banning police departments from employing officers after misconduct, and requiring officers to intervene when witnessing excessive force.
October 2021: Proposed buffer between fossil fuel extraction sites and populated areas
In October 2021, Gavin Newsom proposed a 3,200-foot buffer between new fossil fuel extraction sites and densely populated areas.
December 2021: Newsom announces intention to make California a 'sanctuary' for abortion
In December 2021, Newsom announced his intention to make California a "sanctuary" for abortion, which included possibly paying for procedures, travel, and lodging for out-of-state abortion seekers.
2021: California's unemployment debt
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 to the federal government.
2021: Newsom's veto rate from 2019-2021
From 2019 to 2021, Newsom vetoed 12.7% of the bills the legislature passed on average.
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 signs bills easing zoning restrictions for housing
In 2021, Gavin Newsom signed a pair of bills into law that reduced zoning restrictions for housing, allowing the construction of duplexes and fourplexes in areas previously zoned for single-family homes. He also signed a bill expediting the environmental review process for multifamily developments.
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: Newsom's Recall Election
In 2021, Newsom had a "vulnerable" recall election. He stated he would not run for President in 2024 because of this event.
2021: Medi-Cal eligibility expanded
In 2021, Newsom signed legislation expanding Medi-Cal eligibility to undocumented residents over age 50.
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".
March 2022: Newsom signs bill requiring full abortion coverage
In March 2022, Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring private health insurance plans in California to fully cover abortion procedures by eliminating associated co-pays and deductibles and increasing insurance premiums.
April 2022: Report found slow progress on fire prevention program
In April 2022, a report found that 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.
June 30, 2022: Newsom signs $307.9 billion state budget
On June 30, 2022, Gavin Newsom signed a $307.9 billion state budget that pledges to make all low-income adults eligible for the state's Medicaid program by 2024, regardless of immigration status, making California the first U.S. state to guarantee healthcare to all low-income illegal immigrants.
July 6, 2022: Newsom establishes Office of Health Care Affordability
On July 6, 2022, Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 184, which established the Office of Health Care Affordability, aimed at developing data-informed policies and enforceable cost targets to contain health care costs.
September 2022: Newsom Makes California a Sanctuary State and Fines School District
In September 2022, Gavin Newsom made California the first sanctuary state for transgender youth. He also fined a school district $1.5 million for rejecting a curriculum including a biography of Harvey Milk.
September 2022: Newsom proposes windfall profits tax for oil companies
In September 2022, Gavin Newsom proposed a windfall profits tax and penalty for oil companies after gas prices in California exceeded $6 per gallon, attributing this to corporate greed and price gouging.
September 2022: Newsom States He Will Not Run for President in 2024
In September 2022, Gavin Newsom stated that he would not run for president in 2024, citing his "vulnerable" 2021 recall.
2022: Newsom declares 'NIMBYism is destroying the state'
In 2022, Gavin Newsom declared that "NIMBYism is destroying the state," expressing his opposition to NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) sentiment related to housing.
2022: Newsom signs 39 bills to address housing crisis
In 2022, Gavin Newsom signed 39 bills into law aimed at addressing California's housing crisis, including measures to eliminate minimum parking requirements near mass transit, allow housing on commercially zoned land, and streamline housing projects by allowing California colleges to skip onerous review processes for new projects.
2022: Newsom signs gun control bills
In 2022, Gavin Newsom signed several gun control bills, including Assembly Bill 1621, restricting privately made firearms, and Assembly Bill 2571, prohibiting the marketing of firearms to children. He also signed Senate Bill 1327, enabling private citizens to sue those involved in illegal firearms in California.
2022: Re-election to second term
In 2022, Gavin Newsom was re-elected for a second term as governor, defeating Republican state senator Brian Dahle with 59.2% of the vote.
2022: Reelected as Governor
In 2022, Gavin Newsom was reelected as governor of California, overcoming the recall effort he faced the previous year.
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.
January 2023: Homelessness in California hits record high
In January 2023, the number of homeless people in California reached a record high of over 181,000. Some believe California must build more than 2.5 million housing units to cope with this problem.
February 2023: Newsom organizes Reproductive Freedom Alliance of state governors
In February 2023, Gavin Newsom organized the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a group of state governors supportive of abortion and reproductive rights.
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 28, 2023: Newsom signs law targeting oil company profits
On March 28, 2023, Gavin Newsom signed a law in California that authorizes the California Energy Commission to set a profit threshold for oil companies, above which they would be assessed a financial penalty. The law also requires these companies to report additional profit data to state regulators and establishes a new oversight division within the California Energy Commission to investigate price gouging in the gasoline industry.
April 2023: The Hill Article Discusses Newsom's Potential Presidential Run
In April 2023, The Hill published an article discussing the inevitability of a Newsom presidential run.
April 25, 2023: Newsom Endorses Biden's Reelection Campaign
On April 25, 2023, Gavin Newsom endorsed President Biden's reelection campaign.
May 2023: Schwarzenegger Comments on Newsom's Presidential Ambitions
In May 2023, Schwarzenegger said it was a "no-brainer" that Newsom would someday run for president.
June 8, 2023: Newsom proposes 28th Amendment to U.S. Constitution on gun control
On June 8, 2023, Governor Newsom proposed a 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to raise the age to buy firearms to 21, institute universal background checks for gun purchases, mandate waiting periods, and ban assault weapons for civilians.
June 2023: NewsNation Poll Shows Newsom as Potential Presidential Candidate
According to a June 2023 poll by NewsNation, 22% of California voters wanted Newsom to enter the 2024 presidential election.
June 2023: Newsom Proclaims LGBTQ+ Pride Month
In June 2023, Gavin Newsom proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in California.
September 2023: Appointed Laphonza Butler to the Senate
In September 2023, Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to the U.S. Senate seat after the death of Dianne Feinstein, fulfilling his promise to appoint a Black woman to the position.
October 2023: Newsom vetoes bill to cap insulin co-pays
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that aimed to cap co-pays for diabetic insulin at $35.
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.
October 2023: Newsom vetoes housing assistance bills
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills designed to expand access to housing assistance, including measures related to repurposing state-owned land, expanding eligibility for state housing assistance, and mandating Medi-Cal coverage for housing assistance.
October 2023: Newsom Visits China
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom visited China for a week, meeting with President Xi Jinping to discuss climate change, trade, and fentanyl production, while calling for better U.S.-China relations.
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.
2023: Newsom Launches Campaign for Democracy PAC
In 2023, Gavin Newsom launched Campaign for Democracy, a PAC to take on "authoritarian leaders" in the U.S., speculated to be a starting point for a possible 2028 presidential bid.
2023: Discussed Dyslexia's Impact
In a 2023 interview, Gavin Newsom discussed how his dyslexia "forced me to find workarounds and think differently—skills I still use every day as governor."
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.
July 2024: Campaign for Democracy Raises $24 Million
As of July 2024, Gavin Newsom's Campaign for Democracy has raised $24 million for direct contributions to candidates and other spending. The group is not subject to contribution limits.
July 2024: Newsom Launches Podcast and Endorses Harris for President
In July 2024, Gavin Newsom launched a podcast called Politickin'. After Biden's withdrawal, Newsom endorsed Kamala Harris for president, stating he would not seek the Democratic nomination.
August 2024: Newsom Warns Counties on Homeless Encampments
In August 2024, Gavin Newsom warned counties that if they did not remove their homeless encampments, their state funding would be cut off the next year. This warning came after he personally visited and cleared out a Los Angeles homeless encampment without notifying the city.
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.
October 2024: Newsom Signs "California Racial Mascots Act"
In October 2024, Gavin Newsom signed AB 3074, the "California Racial Mascots Act", which bans derogatory Native American mascots and team names at K-12 schools, with an exemption for schools run by recognized Native American tribes.
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 Calls for Safeguarding California's Policies
After Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Gavin Newsom called for California lawmakers to convene to safeguard California's policies from the upcoming Trump administration.
2024: Newsom's comments on appointing a Black woman to the Senate
In 2024, Gavin Newsom had given comments in an interview with Joy Reid, about whether he would appoint a Black woman to replace Dianne Feinstein if she were to retire from the Senate or die before her term ended.
2024: Committed to ending the sale of gas leases
In 2024, Gavin Newsom has commited to end the sale of gas leases.
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.
2024: Low income adults eligible for state Medicaid
In 2024, all low income adults will be eligible for the state's Medicaid program.
2024: Speculation on Newsom's Presidential Aspirations
In 2024, many journalists and political analysts have mentioned Newsom as a potential presidential hopeful.
2025: Started "This is Gavin Newsom" Podcast
Since 2025, Gavin Newsom has hosted the podcast "This is Gavin Newsom", adding a new dimension to his public engagement.
2028: Possible Presidential Bid
2028 is a year which Newsom possibly may run for President.
2028: Newsom Adjusts Political Approach for Potential Presidential Campaign
In anticipation of a potential 2028 presidential campaign, Gavin Newsom has adjusted his political approach to appeal to a broader electorate, including engaging with conservative voices.
2035: Phase out of gasoline-powered vehicles
By 2035, all new passenger vehicles sold in the state should be zero-emission.
2045: Committed to ending oil extraction
In 2045, Gavin Newsom has commited to end oil extraction.
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