Gavin Newsom

Gavin Christopher Newsom, born on October 10, 1967, is a prominent American politician and entrepreneur who has held the position of California's 40th governor since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Newsom's political trajectory 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.

Newsom earned his degree from Santa Clara University in 1989 and ventured into business by establishing the PlumpJack Group, with financial backing from family friend and billionaire Gordon Getty. This venture expanded to encompass a diverse portfolio of 23 businesses, including wineries, restaurants, and hotels.

His political career commenced in 1996 when he was appointed by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to the city's Parking and Traffic Commission. The following year, Newsom joined the Board of Supervisors, securing election to the board in 1998. He became San Francisco's mayor in 2003, winning reelection in 2007.

In 2010, he was elected lieutenant governor and hosted The Gavin Newsom Show from 2012 to 2013, while also authoring the 2013 book Citizenville, which discusses leveraging digital tools for civic engagement. After being reelected in 2014, he ascended to the governorship in 2018. His tenure has been marked by challenges, including scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic and an unsuccessful recall attempt in 2021, followed by his reelection in 2022.