Gavin Christopher Newsom, born on October 10, 1967, is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 40th Governor of California, a position he has held since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Newsom previously served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019, and as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Before entering politics, Newsom established himself in the business world, founding the PlumpJack Group, a hospitality company with wineries, restaurants, and hotels.
Newsom's political career began in 1996 when he was appointed to San Francisco's Parking and Traffic Commission. He then served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before being elected mayor in 2003, becoming the city's youngest mayor in over a century. As mayor, he gained national attention for directing the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a controversial decision at the time. During his time as governor, Newsom has focused on issues such as gun safety, reproductive rights, education, and climate action. In 2022, Newsom was re-elected as governor. Due to term limits, he cannot run for a third term in 2026.