I am a long time resident of San Francisco who has long been dismayed by Newsom's neoliberal, anti-homeless, pro-authoritarian, gentrifying, hypocritical policies.
This is interesting! She is not the brightest bulb (she once registered as an American Independent Party voter believing that that was registering as an independent!) but she has been a fierce warrior for the hegemony of wealthy women.
The arrest and indictment of Dana Williamson, the governor’s former chief of staff, sent shock waves through Sacramento in particular. Though no elected officials have been charged, Ms. Williamson, a Democrat, has been one of the state’s top power brokers for years, having run the offices of Mr. Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown.
Most of the charges against her stem from what prosecutors described as a complex scheme to skim money from the campaign account of Xavier Becerra, a former Biden administration official and Democratic congressman now running for California governor. Federal prosecutors say that Ms. Williamson conspired to direct $225,000 from a dormant political account to Mr. Becerra’s right-hand man.
Two of Ms. Williamson’s associates also have been charged, albeit with only one or two crimes after agreeing to plea deals — the aide to Mr. Becerra who received the funds, Sean McCluskie, and a Sacramento lobbyist, Greg Campbell.
But because of whom Ms. Williamson and Mr. McCluskie worked for, insiders have been discussing if the unfolding case could now affect Mr. Becerra’s bid for governor — or even Mr. Newsom’s expected run for president in 2028.
The LA Times reports:
She also is accused of lying on her tax returns about luxury items and services, including a $150,000 birthday trip to Mexico, that she allegedly sought to pass off as business expenses, according to the government.
“So when my friend and brother Van Lathan simply brought up AIPAC on Higher Learning and said…
“I will not vote for a candidate that takes $1 from AIPAC.”
—I expected a straightforward answer. A yes. A no. A why.
“Instead, Gavin short-circuited. He said “that’s interesting” again and again (Mediaite counted seven), claimed Van was “the first to bring up AIPAC in years,” called AIPAC “not relevant to my day-to-day life,” and tried to pivot to Prop 50, city councils, school boards—anything but a clear stance.“
“California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, signed a law to hold a special election in November in which voters in will be asked to approve a new congressional map, tilted in favor of Democrats, for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, if Texas goes ahead with a plan to do the same for Republicans.” — The Guardian
This is a path to the bottom! While it is horrible, what tRump is doing in Texas, this just starts a war with no end and no possible victors!
December 2003: After serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Newsom is elected mayor on campaign promises to move the city in a “new direction.” GavTracker: Toss-up
February 2004: Weeks after being elected, Newsom sparks national controversy with a decision to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses, in defiance of state law. GavTracker: Likely running
September 2004: In a Harper’s Bazaar profile of Newsom and then-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle — featuring that famous photo of the two spooning on a fancy rug in Ann Getty’s home — the couple are compared to the Kennedys. “I’d gladly vote for him,” Guilfoyle says of the idea of Newsom running for president. GavTracker: He’s running
February 2007: A year after his split from Guilfoyle, Newsom admits to and apologizes for having an affair with the wife of his campaign manager and close friend. GavTracker:Not running
November 2016: As lieutenant governor, Newsom champions a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana. GavTracker: Likely running
November 2020: Biden wins the presidency, and Harris as vice president becomes his heir apparent. Newsom and Harris, who rose through the ranks of San Francisco politics together, have long shared political advisers and donors, complicating the governor’s ambitions for 2024. GavTracker: Not running
November 2020: In the midst of a Covid shutdown, Newsom enrages sheltered Californians by attending a birthday party at posh Napa Valley restaurant the French Laundry. GavTracker: Not running
October 2023: After a quick visit to Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Newsom travels to China for a weeklong trip focused on climate change in what some see as an unusual gubernatorial foray into foreign affairs. GavTracker: Likely running
June to July 2024: Biden’s horrible debate performance leads to Harris replacing him at the top of the ticket, officially delaying any hopes of Newsom running. GavTracker: Not running
November 2024: With Harris’ defeat, Democrats immediately look to possible contenders to retake the White House in 2028, with Newsom’s name floated as a top option. GavTracker: Toss-up
January 2025 to present: Newsom launches a podcast in an effort to better understand conservative voters and how Democrats can improve their messaging and assumes the role of “resister-in-chief” to Trump. GavTracker: Likely running
June to July 2025: Newsom publicly discusses a possible presidential run and travels to South Carolina to meet with top Democrats in the swing state. GavTracker: Likely running