California Governor

Commentary

My turn: Lessons from ‘The People’s Governor’ apply to Newsom

There probably won’t be 440 press credentials issued for Gavin Newsom’s inaugural on Monday. But although the press corps in Sacramento has declined, it still matters. A relevant press corps can hold officials accountable and help drive positive public policy.

By

Guest Commentary

• January 6, 2019

Gov Jerry Brown–take our quiz to test your trivia knowledge of California's governor.

Politics

Think you know Jerry Brown? We’re out to stump you with 16 questions about California’s exiting governor

His frugality, his globe-trotting, his French filmmaker muse and the punk song he inspired—we test you with a question for every year Jerry Brown has governed California.

By

Ben Christopher

• December 17, 2018

Woman with her hands up, unsure of the answer. That's how GOP voters felt about several ballot races in California's primary.

Elections

Why bother? Many Republicans skipped voting when their option was Dem or Dem

The data shows how California's top-two primary left GOP voters with few good options—or an option they couldn't stomach—in several key races.

By

Ben Christopher

• November 28, 2018

Incoming Chief of Staff Ann O'Leary, left, with Jennifer Siebel-Newsom and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom

Elections

Gavin Newsom names top two staffers, bringing California and national experience to the top of his team

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom announced his first two hires today, picking one leader who will give his inner circle deep experience in the state Capitol and another who will give it a strong national scope. Ann O’Leary, a senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential run, will serve as Newsom’s chief of staff, […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• November 9, 2018

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom opposes Proposition 10. Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

Elections

Watch: Gov-Elect Newsom on the ‘success gap’ and what else ails California

In this 6-minute preview of his plans for California, Gov-Elect Gavin Newsom explains why he's a risk-taker and how he plans to fix what ails the state.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

• November 8, 2018

Gavin Newsom smiles at a campaign stop at Stakely's Barber Salon in Los Angeles, as he campaigns for governor. Photo by Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Politics

Behind the smile: Why Gavin Newsom is striving for his next “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”

Critics call Gavin Newsom, the Democratic frontrunner to be California's next governor, starry-eyed and worse. But nobody could ever accuse him of not thinking big—or as he terms it, thinking "drastically."

By

Ben Christopher

• October 23, 2018

Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox are in a match-up to replace outgoing California Gov. Jerry Brown.

Elections

Video: Newsom and Cox reveal how they would run California differently than Gov. Brown

See Gavin Newsom and John Cox explain how they would run California differently than Gov. Brown—and make decisions on climate change policies, housing, schools and crime. Plus: book recommendations and hardest thing they've done.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

• October 12, 2018

Elections

In California primary, well-heeled winner Gavin Newsom had small donations. Guess who didn’t?

Small donations alone did not secure Gavin Newsom’s win, but they likely helped build enthusiasm. The lackluster finish by Antonio Villaraigosa shows that a gush of money from a handful of mega-donors doesn’t always translate into votes.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• June 7, 2018

Elections

Watch California’s two finalists for governor explain how they got into politics

The political awakening of Gavin Newsom dates all the way back to childhood, while rival John Cox says he always wanted to have an impact.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

• June 6, 2018