Gavin Newsom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gavin Newsom
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Official portrait, 2026
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| 40th Governor of California | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Eleni Kounalakis |
| Preceded by | Jerry Brown |
| 49th Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| In office January 10, 2011 – January 7, 2019 |
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| Governor | Jerry Brown |
| Preceded by | Abel Maldonado |
| Succeeded by | Eleni Kounalakis |
| 42nd Mayor of San Francisco | |
| In office January 8, 2004 – January 10, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Willie Brown |
| Succeeded by | Ed Lee |
| Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors | |
| In office February 13, 1997 – January 8, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Shelley |
| Succeeded by | Michela Alioto-Pier |
| Constituency | At-large district (1997–2001) 2nd district (2001–2004) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gavin Christopher Newsom
October 10, 1967 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Newsom family |
| Education | Santa Clara University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Gavin Christopher Newsom (born October 10, 1967) is an American politician and businessman. He is the 40th Governor of California, serving since 2019. Before that, he was the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019. He also served as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Gavin Newsom grew up in San Francisco. He studied political science at Santa Clara University. After college, he started a business called the PlumpJack Group. This company included wineries, restaurants, and hotels. His political journey began in 1996. He was first appointed to a city commission. Then, he became a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1997.
He was elected Mayor of San Francisco in 2003 and again in 2007. Later, he became Lieutenant Governor of California in 2010, serving two terms. During this time, he also wrote a book called Citizenville. This book explored how technology can help people get involved in government.
Newsom was elected Governor of California in 2018 and reelected in 2022. During his time as governor, he has worked on improving roads and housing. He also focused on protecting the environment and supporting equal rights for all. In 2021, there was an effort to remove him from office, but it was not successful. He also started a podcast in 2025 called This Is Gavin Newsom.
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Growing Up and Learning
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco, California, on October 10, 1967. His parents were Tessa Thomas and William Alfred Newsom III. His parents divorced when he was three years old. His mother, Tessa, raised him and his younger sister, Hilary. She worked very hard, sometimes at three jobs, to support the family. Gavin Newsom says his mother taught him the importance of hard work. His childhood was sometimes difficult, partly because of money worries. He also struggled with dyslexia, a learning difference that makes reading and writing harder. He still has dyslexia today.
Gavin went to a Catholic school in San Francisco for kindergarten and first grade. Because of his dyslexia, he found reading and writing very challenging. He later attended special reading classes to help him. Throughout school, he often used audiobooks and listened to lessons. He says his dyslexia helped him learn to think in different ways.
At Redwood High School, Gavin was good at sports like basketball and baseball. His family also welcomed foster children into their home. To help with family finances, Gavin worked jobs like washing cars and at a local deli. He graduated from high school in 1985.
He attended Santa Clara University with a partial baseball scholarship. He studied political science and graduated in 1989. He tried to play college baseball but had an elbow injury. He also spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy, which he found very interesting.
Starting Businesses
In 1991, Gavin Newsom and some friends started a company called PlumpJack Associates. They opened the PlumpJack Winery in 1992. A family friend, Gordon Getty, helped them with money. He invested in many of Gavin's businesses because he believed in their success.
Early on, Gavin had a disagreement with the San Francisco Health Department. They wanted his wine store to install a sink, which he thought was unnecessary. This experience made him want to improve how government rules worked.
His business grew to employ over 700 people. They opened many different places, including restaurants, inns, and other wineries. Gavin believed that learning from mistakes was important for success. He sold his share of the San Francisco businesses when he became mayor in 2004. However, he kept his ownership in other PlumpJack companies outside the city.
First Steps in Politics
Gavin Newsom's first political experience was volunteering for Willie Brown's campaign for mayor in 1995. Brown later appointed Newsom to the city's Parking and Traffic Commission in 1996. He then became president of the commission.
Serving San Francisco as Supervisor
In 1997, Mayor Brown appointed Newsom to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was the youngest member on the board at that time. Newsom promised to use his business experience to help the city. He described himself as someone who supported social progress and careful spending.
He was elected to a full term on the board in 1998. As a supervisor, Newsom worked to improve the city's public transportation system, Muni. He also supported projects to create more affordable housing.
One of his main achievements was an initiative called Care Not Cash. This program offered housing, treatment, and support for homeless people instead of just giving them money. Many people who supported homeless rights disagreed with this idea. However, the program was approved by voters and helped many people find shelter and support.
Becoming Mayor of San Francisco
Newsom ran for mayor of San Francisco in 2003. He won the election, becoming mayor on January 8, 2004. He promised to unite the city's different groups. He also wanted to fix public schools, improve roads, and create more affordable housing.
He was reelected as mayor in 2007. During his time as mayor, he focused on city development projects. He also gained national attention for supporting same-sex marriage in 2004. He directed the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, even though it went against state law at the time. This action brought a lot of attention to the issue of equal rights.
He also started programs like Healthy San Francisco. This program aimed to provide health care for all city residents. He also worked to make healthy food and physical activity more available for children and families.
Serving California as Lieutenant Governor
In 2010, Gavin Newsom was elected Lieutenant Governor of California. He served under Governor Jerry Brown. He was reelected for a second term in 2014.
Focusing on Education and Technology
As lieutenant governor, Newsom worked to improve education. He supported programs that would offer free community college education. He also pushed for computer science courses to be a core subject in schools. This helped more students learn about technology from a young age.
Newsom wrote a book called Citizenville in 2013. It talked about using digital tools to make government better. He also helped create online tools like the California Report Card. This allowed people to "grade" their state on important issues.
Becoming Governor of California
Newsom announced his plan to run for governor in 2015. He won the election in 2018 by a large margin. He was sworn in as the 40th Governor of California on January 7, 2019. He was reelected for a second term in 2022.
In 2021, there was an effort to recall him from office. This meant people wanted to remove him before his term ended. The effort was not successful, and he remained governor.
Leading During Challenges
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This helped California prepare for and slow the spread of the virus. He worked to get equipment and services for the state. He also focused on helping homeless people find shelter.
He issued orders for people to stay home and for many businesses to close. This was to keep people safe. He also made face coverings mandatory for all Californians. He worked with other states to plan how to reopen the economy safely. His administration also made it easier for all registered voters to vote by mail in the November 2020 election.
Tackling Wildfires
California often faces serious wildfires. In March 2020, Newsom declared a state of emergency to prepare for the wildfire season. He asked for federal help when many fires started in August 2020.
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His administration worked on projects to reduce wildfire risks. This included clearing land to create "fuel breaks" that help stop fires from spreading.
Political Disagreements
Newsom has had disagreements with the federal government on various policies. He has spoken out about issues he believes are important for California.
Important Decisions as Governor
Protecting the Environment
Newsom has focused on fighting climate change. He is a co-chair of the United States Climate Alliance. In 2020, he signed an order to stop selling new gasoline-powered vehicles in California by 2035. This aims to make all new passenger vehicles zero-emission. He also worked on plans to end oil extraction in the state by 2045.
He has also addressed high gas prices. He proposed ways to make sure oil companies are not unfairly raising prices.
Building Homes and Helping the Homeless
A major issue for California voters is homelessness. Newsom has worked to address the state's housing shortage. He has pushed communities to build more affordable housing. He believes that building more homes is key to solving the problem.
He signed laws to make it easier to build different types of housing. These laws also removed some parking requirements near public transportation. He has warned local governments that they must work to solve the housing crisis.
Working with Native American Communities
In 2019, Governor Newsom apologized to Native Americans for the past actions of the California state government. He acknowledged the harm caused to Native Americans in the 19th century. He said it was a "genocide" and needed to be recognized as such. He also signed a law in 2024 to stop schools from using "derogatory" Native American names or mascots.
Labor Rights
Newsom has signed laws to support workers' rights. This includes legislation related to minimum wage and protections for workers.
California's Place in the Nation
Newsom is seen as an important figure in liberal American politics. He started a group called Campaign for Democracy in 2023. This group aims to support democratic leaders in the U.S. Many people think he might run for president in the future.
He has also spoken out about policies of other state governors. In 2023, he debated Florida governor Ron DeSantis on Fox News. In 2024, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Newsom endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
2028 Presidential Election
Newsom has shown interest in running for president in 2028. He has been adjusting his political approach to appeal to a wider range of voters. He has even hosted guests with different political views on his podcast.
His Life Outside of Politics
Gavin Newsom was raised in the Catholic faith. He describes himself as a practicing Catholic with strong faith. He also has ties to the Jewish community. As a child, he attended Hanukkah celebrations and a Jewish summer camp. He credits Jewish values for helping shape his identity.
After his time as mayor, Newsom and his family moved to Marin County. After becoming governor, they moved to the California Governor's Mansion in Sacramento. They later settled in Fair Oaks. In 2026, Newsom released a book about his early life called Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.
Family Life
In 2008, Gavin Newsom married film director Jennifer Siebel. They have four children together: two daughters and two sons.
See also
In Spanish: Gavin Newsom para niños
- Electoral history of Gavin Newsom
