History of Gavin Newsom in Timeline
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.
October 10, 1967: Gavin Newsom's Birth
On October 10, 1967, Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco, California. He is currently the 40th governor of California.
1971: Parents' Divorce
In 1971, Gavin Newsom's parents divorced when he was three years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his sister.
1978: Cost of executing 13 people was $5 billion
In 2012, Newsom cited statistics that California had spent $5 billion since 1978 to execute just 13 people.
1985: Graduation from Redwood High School
In 1985, Gavin Newsom graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, California, excelling athletically despite his academic struggles with dyslexia.
1985: Elbow Surgery Ends Baseball Aspirations
In late 1985, Gavin Newsom underwent elbow surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, ending his varsity baseball aspirations at Santa Clara University.
1989: Graduated from Santa Clara University
In 1989, Gavin Newsom graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in political science.
May 14, 1991: Founded PlumpJack Associates L.P.
On May 14, 1991, Gavin Newsom and his investors created the company PlumpJack Associates L.P., marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial ventures.
1992: Started PlumpJack Winery
In 1992, Gavin Newsom started the PlumpJack Winery with financial assistance from Gordon Getty, marking the beginning of his business ventures in the wine industry.
1993: Opened PlumpJack Café
In 1993, the PlumpJack Cafe Partners L.P. opened the PlumpJack Café on Fillmore Street, marking an expansion of 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 Group's ventures.
1995: Opened Winery and Balboa Café Bar and Grill
In 1995, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened a winery in Napa Valley and the Balboa Café Bar and Grill, further diversifying their business ventures.
1995: Volunteered for Willie Brown's Mayoral Campaign
In 1995, Gavin Newsom volunteered for Willie Brown's successful campaign for mayor, marking the beginning of his involvement in politics.
1996: Opened PlumpJack Development Fund L.P.
In 1996, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the PlumpJack Development Fund L.P., expanding the PlumpJack Group's ventures.
1996: Appointed to Parking and Traffic Commission
In 1996, Gavin Newsom was appointed to a vacant seat on the Parking and Traffic Commission by Willie Brown, beginning his formal political career.
1997: Appointed to Board of Supervisors
In 1997, Gavin Newsom was appointed by Willie Brown to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors 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, expanding the PlumpJack Group's ventures.
1998: Elected to Board of Supervisors
In 1998, Gavin Newsom was elected to a full four-year term to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
1998: Endorsed by Rescue Muni
In his 1998 reelection as Supervisor, Gavin Newsom was one of two supervisors endorsed by Rescue Muni, a transit riders group.
November 1999: Voters Approved Ballot Measure
In November 1999, a version of the ballot measure sponsored by Gavin Newsom from Rescue Muni was approved by voters.
1999: Opened PlumpJack Wines shop Noe Valley branch
In 1999, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened the PlumpJack Wines shop Noe Valley branch, expanding the PlumpJack Group's ventures.
1999: District System Adopted for Board Elections
In 1999, San Francisco voters chose to abandon at-large elections to the Board of Supervisors for the previous district system.
2000: Opened PlumpJackSport and Second Balboa Café
In 2000, Gavin Newsom and his investors opened PlumpJackSport retail clothing and a second Balboa Café at Squaw Valley, expanding their business portfolio.
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: Re-elected as Supervisor and Appeared on Republican Slate
In 2000, Gavin Newsom was re-elected to represent the second district on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and paid $500 to appear on the Republican Party's endorsement slate.
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.
December 2001: Marriage to Kimberly Guilfoyle
In December 2001, Gavin Newsom married legal commentator Kimberly Guilfoyle at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
2001: Annual Income Exceeded $429,000
From 1996 to 2001, Gavin Newsom's annual income was greater than $429,000 from his business ventures.
2002: Re-elected to Represent the Second District
In 2002, Gavin Newsom was re-elected to represent the second district, which includes Pacific Heights, the Marina, Cow Hollow, Sea Cliff and Laurel Heights, on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
2002: Business Holdings Valued at Over $6.9 Million
In 2002, Gavin Newsom's business holdings were valued at more than $6.9 million, reflecting the success of his entrepreneurial ventures.
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, but faced a runoff against Green Party candidate Matt Gonzalez.
2003: Elected Mayor of San Francisco
In 2003, Gavin Newsom was elected as the Mayor of San Francisco.
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.
January 8, 2004: Sworn in as Mayor of San Francisco
On January 8, 2004, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as the Mayor of San Francisco, calling for unity among the city's political factions.
July 1, 2004: Implementation of Care Not Cash initiative
On July 1, 2004, the Care Not Cash initiative, sponsored by Newsom, began implementation, aiming to provide permanent shelter for homeless individuals in San Francisco.
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.
October 27, 2004: Newsom joins hotel workers strike
On October 27, 2004, Newsom joined UNITE HERE union members on a picket line in front of the Westin St. Francis Hotel during a strike by hotel workers in San Francisco.
2004: Separation from Kimberly Guilfoyle
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.
2004: Sold Shares in San Francisco Businesses
In 2004, Gavin Newsom sold his share of his San Francisco businesses when he became mayor, but maintained ownership in PlumpJack companies outside the city.
January 2005: Joint Filing for Divorce
In January 2005, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle jointly filed for divorce, citing career difficulties.
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.
2005: Newsom pushes for state law on dog breeds
In 2005, Newsom advocated for a state law to allow California communities to create policies restricting certain breeds of dogs.
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: Divorce Finalization
On February 28, 2006, Gavin Newsom's divorce from Kimberly Guilfoyle was finalized.
September 2006: Brief Relationship with Brittanie Mountz
In September 2006, Gavin Newsom briefly dated 19-year-old Brittanie Mountz, a model and restaurant hostess.
September 2006: Hotel contract dispute settled
In September 2006, the contract dispute with the San Francisco hotels, which Newsom had vowed to boycott, was settled.
October 2006: Beginning Relationship with Jennifer Siebel
In October 2006, Gavin Newsom began dating film director Jennifer Siebel.
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.
February 2007: Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In February 2007, Gavin Newsom announced that he would seek treatment for alcohol use disorder.
August 10, 2007: Filing Deadline for San Francisco's Mayoral Election
When the August 10, 2007, filing deadline passed, San Francisco's discussion shifted to talk about Gavin Newsom's second term. He was challenged in the election by 13 candidates.
August 2007: San Francisco Chronicle declares Newsom faces no serious re-election threat
In August 2007, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Gavin Newsom faced no significant challenge to his re-election campaign, noting he had raised $1.6 million by early August.
December 2007: Engagement Announcement
In December 2007, Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel announced their engagement.
2007: 2,000 homeless people placed into permanent housing.
By 2007, approximately 2,000 homeless individuals had been placed into permanent housing with support as part of Newsom's initiative to end chronic homelessness.
2007: Earned income from business interests
In 2007, Gavin Newsom earned between $141,000 and $251,000 from his business interests, showing the continued success of his ventures.
2007: Re-elected Mayor of San Francisco
In 2007, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as the Mayor of San Francisco, marking his second term in office.
2007: Healthy San Francisco established
In 2007, Newsom signed the law establishing Healthy San Francisco, providing universal health care to city residents, making San Francisco the first city in the nation to do so.
July 2008: Marriage to Jennifer Siebel
In July 2008, Gavin Newsom married Jennifer Siebel in Stevensville, Montana. They have four children.
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.
2008: Self-Description as "Irish Catholic Rebel"
In 2008, Gavin Newsom described himself as an "Irish Catholic rebel" with a strong faith and admiration for the Catholic Church, which he believed was in crisis. He expressed a strong connection to a greater purpose and a higher being as his reason for staying with the Church.
2008: Newsom hosts Urban-Rural Roundtable
In 2008, Gavin Newsom hosted the Urban-Rural Roundtable to explore strategies for promoting regional food development and enhancing access to healthy, affordable food.
2008: Program Evaluated as Largely Successful
In 2008, a city audit evaluated the Care Not Cash program, initiated by Gavin Newsom, as largely successful, lowering average cash payments per person and the number of people receiving cash payments.
April 2009: Listed Russian Hill Residence for Sale
In April 2009, Gavin Newsom put his residence in the Russian Hill neighborhood on the market for $3,000,000.
April 21, 2009: Newsom announces candidacy for Governor
On April 21, 2009, Gavin Newsom announced his candidacy for governor of California in the 2010 election.
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.
February 2010: Newsom files paperwork to run for Lieutenant Governor
In February 2010, 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.
2010: Newsom named "America's Most Social Mayor"
In 2010, Newsom was recognized as "America's Most Social Mayor" by Same Point, based on an analysis of social media profiles of mayors in the 100 largest U.S. cities.
2010: First Time Since 2010 Democratic Nominee Did Not Win 60% of Vote
The 2022 election was the first time since 2010 that the Democratic gubernatorial nominee did not win at least 60% of the vote.
January 10, 2011: Newsom Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
On January 10, 2011, Gavin Newsom was officially sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of California.
2011: Became Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2011, Gavin Newsom became the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California, a position he held until 2019 when he became governor.
2011: Completion of Service as Mayor of San Francisco
In 2011, Gavin Newsom completed his service as mayor of San Francisco.
2011: Guilfoyle's Rise to Prominence
In 2011, Kimberly Guilfoyle gained prominence via a Fox News chat show.
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."
2012: Hosted "The Gavin Newsom Show"
From 2012 to 2013, Gavin Newsom hosted "The Gavin Newsom Show" during his time as Lieutenant Governor.
2012: Voters Upheld Capital Punishment in 2012
In 2012, California's voters upheld capital punishment.
2012: Newsom Supported Measure to End Capital Punishment
In 2012, Newsom supported a failed measure that sought to end capital punishment in California.
2012: Move to Kentfield
In 2012, after completing his service as mayor of San Francisco in 2011, Gavin Newsom and his family moved to a house they bought in Kentfield in Marin County.
February 7, 2013: Newsom releases "Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government"
On February 7, 2013, Gavin Newsom released his book, "Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government", discussing the Gov 2.0 movement.
2013: Authored "Citizenville"
In 2013, Gavin Newsom wrote the book "Citizenville," which focuses on using digital tools for democratic change.
2013: Newsom convened with the American Civil Liberties Union of California
In 2013, Newsom convened with the American Civil Liberties Union of California to produce a report concerning Marijuana Policy. This report was released in July 2015.
November 4, 2014: Newsom re-elected as Lieutenant Governor
On November 4, 2014, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as Lieutenant Governor of California, defeating Republican Ron Nehring with 57.2% of the vote.
2014: Re-elected Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2014, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as the Lieutenant Governor of California.
January 5, 2015: Newsom's second term begins.
On January 5, 2015, Gavin Newsom began his second term as Lieutenant Governor of California.
February 11, 2015: Newsom opens campaign account for governor
On February 11, 2015, Newsom announced the opening of a campaign account for the 2018 gubernatorial elections, aiming to succeed Brown as governor of California.
July 2015: Newsom releases Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy's final report
In July 2015, Newsom released the Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy's final report, convened with the ACLU in 2013, to inform a legalization measure on the 2016 ballot.
November 2015: Newsom calls for the creation of the California College Promise
In November 2015, Newsom and Eloy Oakley called for the creation of the California College Promise.
December 2015: Newsom calls for reclassification of computer science courses
In December 2015, Newsom urged the University of California to reclassify computer science courses as core academic classes.
2015: Newsom partners to launch Digital Democracy
In 2015, Gavin Newsom collaborated with the Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy at California Polytechnic State University to launch Digital Democracy.
June 2016: Newsom helps secure $15 million for promise programs
In June 2016, Newsom helped secure $15 million in the state budget to support the creation of promise programs throughout California.
September 2016: Legislation signed for expanding computer science education
In September 2016, legislation sponsored by Newsom was signed by Governor Brown, initiating the planning process for expanding computer science education to all state students, starting as early as kindergarten.
November 2016: Newsom supports Proposition 64
In November 2016, Newsom supported Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis use and cultivation for California residents aged 21 or older.
2016: Voters Upheld Capital Punishment in 2016
In 2016, California's voters upheld capital punishment and agreed to move the condemned to other prisons.
2016: Newsom passed reforms to support student-athletes
In 2016, Newsom introduced a series of reforms at the University of California, designed to provide student-athletes with increased academic and injury-related assistance.
2016: Newsom supported Proposition 62
In 2016, Newsom supported Proposition 62, which aimed to repeal the death penalty in California, arguing against racial disparities and the death penalty's immorality.
February 24, 2017: Newsom urges against increased federal enforcement against recreational cannabis firms
On February 24, 2017, 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.
June 5, 2018: Newsom finished in the top two in the nonpartisan blanket primary
On June 5, 2018, Newsom finished in the top two in the nonpartisan blanket primary.
2018: Margin of Victory Compared to 2018 Election
Gavin Newsom's margin of victory in 2022 was smaller than in 2018, marking a notable shift in voter support.
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: Elected Governor of California
In 2018, Gavin Newsom was elected as the Governor of California.
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.
2018: Expedited Review of Pardon Requests for Immigrants
In 2018, a California law mandated expedited review of pardon requests from people facing deportation by the state Board of Parole Hearings.
January 7, 2019: Newsom was sworn in
On January 7, 2019, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as Governor 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 executions while he remained governor. He also withdrew the state's lethal injection protocol and closed the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
May 2019: Pardoned Formerly Incarcerated People
In May 2019, Gavin Newsom pardoned seven formerly incarcerated people, including two Cambodian refugees facing deportation.
May 2019: Purchase of Fair Oaks Home
In May 2019, it was 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 beginning of the year.
June 2019: Apology for Native American Genocide
In June 2019, Gavin Newsom apologized for the genocide of Native Americans, which was approved and supported by the California state government during the 19th century. Newsom acknowledged that at least 4,500 Native Californians were killed between 1849 and 1870.
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: 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 until an independent panel of scientists reviewed the permits for those projects.
November 2019: Pardoned Men Facing Deportation
In November 2019, Newsom pardoned three men who were attempting to avoid being deported to Cambodia or Vietnam.
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.
2019: Attended the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit
Gavin Newsom attended the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, where he spoke 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 Lieutenant Governor.
2019: CalMatters Analysis of Newsom's Political Positions
In 2019, a CalMatters analysis found that Gavin Newsom's political positions were more moderate than those of almost every Democratic state legislator in California.
2019: Speech about Studying Abroad
In a 2019 speech, Gavin Newsom described his junior year semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy as "eye-opening", exposing him to global perspectives that influenced his political career.
2019: Initial Listing of Marin County Home
In early 2019, Gavin Newsom originally listed the Marin County property for sale at $5.895 million, but it was removed from the market after a price reduction to $5.695 million.
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 2020: Sued Federal Agencies Over Environmental Rollbacks
In February 2020, the Newsom administration sued federal agencies over rollbacks to protect imperiled fish in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in 2019.
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.
March 4, 2020: Declared State of Emergency for COVID-19
On March 4, 2020, Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California following the first death attributable to COVID-19. This was intended to help the state prepare for and contain the virus's spread, allowing state agencies to procure resources and share information more easily and prioritize mitigation policies for the homeless population.
March 22, 2020: Declared State of Emergency Due to Tree Die-Off
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.
April 2020: Resumption of hydraulic fracturing permits
In April 2020, state agencies in California resumed issuing new hydraulic fracturing permits after a moratorium was imposed in November 2019.
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.
August 2020: Addressed the 2020 Democratic National Convention
In August 2020, Gavin Newsom addressed the 2020 Democratic National Convention, mentioning climate change and the wildfires in California.
September 2020: Newsom's Approval Rating
In September 2020, Gavin Newsom had an approval rating of 64%.
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.
September 23, 2020: Signed 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 California to be zero-emission by 2035.
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.
2020: Appointments Following Harris' Election as VP
In 2020, after Kamala Harris was elected Vice President, Newsom appointed Alex Padilla as U.S. Senator, Shirley Weber as Secretary of State, and Rob Bonta as Attorney General.
2020: Compared Recall Effort to 2020 Presidential Election
In 2020, during the recall campaign, Newsom compared the recall effort to the attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.
2020: Stringent Pandemic Restrictions Enacted
In 2020, the Newsom administration enacted some of the country's most stringent pandemic restrictions.
January 2021: Sluggish Vaccine Rollout and Low Vaccination Rates
By January 2021, California experienced a sluggish initial rollout of vaccines, resulting in one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, having used only about 30% of available vaccines.
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.
February 2021: Julie Su Appointed Deputy Secretary of Labor
In February 2021, Julie Su, the California Labor Secretary appointed by Newsom, was appointed as deputy secretary of labor by President Joe Biden.
February 2021: Decline in Approval Rating Due to Pandemic Management
In February 2021, a poll indicated a decline in Gavin Newsom's approval rating to 46% with 48% disapproval, attributed to public opinion regarding his management of the pandemic.
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.
April 2021: Commitment to end gas lease sales and oil extraction
In April 2021, Gavin Newsom committed to ending the sale of gas leases in California by 2024 and ending oil extraction by 2045.
May 2021: California's Death Rate Compared to Other States
By May 2021, despite stringent pandemic restrictions, California had the 29th-highest death rate among all 50 states.
June 10, 2021: Newsom Criticized Judge Benitez
On June 10, 2021, Gavin Newsom called federal Judge Roger Benitez "a stone cold ideologue" and "a wholly owned subsidiary of the gun lobby of the National Rifle Association" after Benitez struck down California's statewide ban on assault weapons.
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.
August 2021: Sale of 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 against Gavin Newsom was held. The results showed that only 38% of voters supported recalling him, allowing him to remain in office.
September 2021: Vaccination Rate Increased
By September 2021, over half the population of California was fully vaccinated, with the vaccination rate increasing since January.
September 2021: Signed Legislation on Policing Reform
In September 2021, Gavin Newsom signed legislation raising the minimum age to become a police officer and implementing restrictions on tear gas use and hiring practices, including the George Floyd Bill.
October 2021: Proposal for fossil fuel extraction buffer zone
In October 2021, Gavin Newsom proposed a 3,200-foot (980 m) buffer between new fossil fuel extraction sites and densely populated areas in California.
2021: California Owed Federal Government 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: Unsuccessful Recall Effort
In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced an unsuccessful recall effort, driven by controversies and frustration with his leadership.
2021: Poll Suggested Declining Support for Capital Punishment
In 2021, a poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times suggested declining support for capital punishment 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, 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.
June 30, 2022: Signed $307.9 Billion State Budget
On June 30, 2022, Gavin Newsom signed a $307.9 billion state budget that pledged to make all low-income adults eligible for the state's Medicaid program by 2024 regardless of their immigration status, making California the first U.S. state to guarantee healthcare to all low-income undocumented immigrants.
July 6, 2022: Newsom Signed Senate Bill 184
On July 6, 2022, Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 184, which established the Office of Health Care Affordability, with the stated goal to "develop data-informed policies and enforceable cost targets, with the ultimate goal of containing health care costs."
September 2022: California Becomes First Sanctuary State for Transgender Youth
In September 2022, Gavin Newsom made California the first sanctuary state for transgender youth and issued a fine to a school district for rejecting a curriculum including a biography of Harvey Milk.
September 2022: Proposed windfall profits tax and penalty for oil companies
In September 2022, Gavin Newsom proposed a windfall profits tax and penalty for oil companies, attributing high gas prices to corporate greed and price gouging.
September 2022: Newsom Declares 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 election.
2022: Signing of Housing Bills
In 2022, Gavin Newsom signed 39 bills into law aimed at addressing California's housing crisis. These bills included land use reforms such as eliminating minimum parking requirements near mass transit, allowing housing development on commercially zoned lots, and streamlining student and faculty housing projects.
2022: Newsom Elected to Second Term
In 2022, Gavin Newsom was elected to a second term as governor, defeating Republican state senator Brian Dahle with 59.2% of the vote.
2022: Re-elected as Governor
In 2022, Gavin Newsom was re-elected as the Governor of California, securing his position despite facing criticism during his governorship.
January 2023: Homelessness in California
In January 2023, the number of homeless people in California reached a record high of over 181,000, underscoring the need for more than 2.5 million additional housing units to address the crisis.
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.
March 28, 2023: Signed law on oil company profit penalties and oversight
On March 28, 2023, Gavin Newsom signed a law authorizing the California Energy Commission to set a profit threshold for oil companies, requiring them to report additional profit data, and creating a division to investigate price gouging.
April 2023: Article in The Hill Discusses Newsom's Inevitable Presidential Run
An April 2023 article in The Hill by journalist Sharon Udasin discussed the inevitability of Gavin Newsom running for president.
April 25, 2023: Endorsement of Biden's Reelection Campaign
On April 25, 2023, after his 2022 reelection, Gavin Newsom informed White House staff that he would not challenge President Biden in the Democratic primaries and endorsed Biden's reelection campaign.
May 2023: Schwarzenegger Comments on Newsom's Future Presidential Ambitions
In May 2023, Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that it was a "no-brainer" that Gavin Newsom would eventually run for president.
June 8, 2023: Newsom Proposed 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
On June 8, 2023, Gavin 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 on Presidential Election
According to a NewsNation poll in June 2023, 22% of California voters wanted Gavin Newsom to enter the 2024 presidential election.
June 2023: LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation
In June 2023, Gavin Newsom proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in California.
September 2023: Appointment of Laphonza Butler to the Senate
In September 2023, after the death of Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to the U.S. Senate seat, fulfilling his promise to appoint a Black woman to the position.
October 2023: Week-Long Visit to China
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom embarked on a week-long visit to China, starting in Hong Kong and including stops in Beijing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai. He met with President Xi Jinping to discuss issues such as climate change, trade relations, and the response to fentanyl production, advocating for better U.S.-China relations.
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".
October 2023: Veto of Labor Bills
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have provided unemployment insurance to striking workers, citing concerns about the state's unemployment system. He also vetoed a bill to expand the mandatory warning given to soon to be laid off employees from 60 days to 75, extend the same protections to long-term contract workers, and prohibit employers from making laid-off employees sign nondisclosure agreements in order to receive severance.
October 2023: Veto of Housing Assistance Bills
In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills designed to expand access to housing assistance in California. These bills included repurposing state-owned land for affordable housing, expanding eligibility for state housing assistance, and mandating Medi-Cal coverage for housing assistance.
October 2023: Newsom Vetoed Bill to Cap Co-pays for Diabetic Insulin
In October 2023, Newsom vetoed a bill to cap co-pays for diabetic insulin at $35.
October 20, 2023: Visit to Israel
On October 20, 2023, Gavin Newsom visited Israel to show solidarity during the Gaza war. He met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, other top Israeli officials, and survivors of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
November 2023: Debate with Ron DeSantis
In November 2023, Gavin Newsom debated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, moderated by Sean Hannity of Fox News.
2023: Launch of Campaign for Democracy PAC
In 2023, Gavin Newsom launched Campaign for Democracy, a PAC aimed at addressing "authoritarian leaders" in the U.S., which is believed to be a starting point for a potential 2028 presidential bid.
2023: Newsom Discusses Dyslexia
In a 2023 interview, Gavin Newsom discussed how his dyslexia forced him to find workarounds and think differently, skills he still uses every day as governor.
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.
July 2024: Campaign for Democracy Fundraising
As of July 2024, Campaign for Democracy had raised $24 million for direct contributions to candidates and other spending. The group can coordinate with Newsom as long as he is not a candidate for federal office.
July 2024: Launch of Politickin' Podcast and Endorsement of Kamala Harris
In July 2024, Gavin Newsom launched "Politickin'", a podcast co-hosted by Marshawn Lynch and Doug Hendrickson. After Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race that month, Newsom endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president and said he would not seek the Democratic nomination.
August 2024: Warning to Counties on Homeless Encampments
In August 2024, Gavin Newsom warned counties in California that failure to remove homeless encampments would result in a cut-off of state funding the following year. This announcement followed his personal visit and clearing of a Los Angeles homeless encampment without prior notification to the city.
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.
October 2024: Signing of the "California Racial Mascots Act"
In October 2024, Gavin Newsom signed AB 3074, also known as the "California Racial Mascots Act", which prohibits the use of derogatory Native American mascots and team names in K-12 schools. This law exempts schools that are run by recognized Native American tribes.
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: Call to Safeguard California 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.
2024: Newsom's Pledge Regarding Feinstein's Replacement
In 2020, Newsom stated that if Dianne Feinstein were to retire or die before her term ended in 2024, he would appoint a Black woman to replace her.
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.
2025: Started the podcast "This is Gavin Newsom"
Since 2025, Gavin Newsom has hosted the podcast "This is Gavin Newsom".
2028: Possible Presidential Bid
In 2023, Gavin Newsom's launch of "Campaign for Democracy" is thought to be a starting point for a possible 2028 presidential bid.
2028: Potential Presidential Campaign and Political Approach
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 on his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom".
2035: Executive Order Goal for Zero-Emission Vehicles
On September 23, 2020, Newsom signed an executive order requiring all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.
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