Who is Gavin Newsom? The Governor of California who could be the next candidate for the Democratic Party

After President Joe Biden’s questionable performance at the debate with Donald Trump in late June, there have been increasing calls for him to step down and make way for another Democratic candidate.

On Sunday, Biden finally announced his resignation as the Democratic candidate in the 2024 presidential race:

“While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Several names have come up as Biden’s replacement, with polls indicating that they could have bigger chances of winning than the incumbent.

Among that list is California Governor Gavin Newsom. Known for his charisma and media-savvy approach, he is a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and has often been mentioned as a potential future candidate for higher national office.

Who is Gavin Newsom? The Governor of California who could be the next candidate for the Democratic Party

Born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, Gavin Christopher Newsom graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Although his educational background already indicated his early interest in politics, he began a career in business soon after graduation.

He co-founded PlumpJack, a boutique wine shop that grew into a collection of enterprises, including wineries, restaurants, and hotels. His success in business helped him build a significant network and reputation in San Francisco.

Newsom entered the world of politics in 1997 when then-mayor Willie Brown appointed him to a vacant seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was later elected and re-elected to the position.

In 2003, Newsom was elected as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, serving two terms from January 2004 to January 2011. As mayor, he gained national attention for his decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, challenging California’s laws at the time.

While he was still San Francisco major, he successfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of California in 2010, then again in 2014.

Newsom was elected governor in 2018, then won re-election in 2022. He has faced some challenges during his tenure, including a petition for a special recall election in 2021 that was based on his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, California voters chose not to recall their governor.

Gavin Newsom’s policies and initiatives

Newsom’s handling of the pandemic included early and strict lockdown measures, widespread testing, and a significant push for vaccination. His approach received both praise and criticism.

He has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues, co-chairing the United States Climate Alliance. He has set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and addressing wildfires in California.

Newsom has worked on issues such as housing affordability by passing the state’s “Dream for All” home loan program, and economic recovery post-pandemic by sending inflation relief checks and later signing into law higher minimum wage rates for workers at $16 an hour, with fast food restaurant employees getting a higher rate at $20.

He has also focused on expanding healthcare with an emphasis on mental health, and improving education.

His critics have cited his failures to include the state’s homelessness problem, high gas prices, and lack of action on the drought affecting California.

Gavin Newsom’s personal life

The governor is married to Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a filmmaker and advocate, with whom he shares four children.