Gavin Newsom
Born 1967 · Age 58
American politician and businessman; 40th governor of California (2019–), former lieutenant governor (2011–2019) and mayor of San Francisco (2004–2011); founder of the PlumpJack Group.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Francisco, California
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born to Tessa Thomas (née Menzies) and William Alfred Newsom III.
Parents divorced
Newsom's parents divorced; he and his sister were raised largely by their mother, Tessa.
Early education at École Notre Dame des Victoires
Attended French–American bilingual Catholic school for kindergarten, first grade, and later third–fifth grades with remedial reading support.
Diagnosed with severe dyslexia
Reported diagnosis at age five; affected reading, writing, and numeracy and shaped education/workarounds.
Enrolled at Santa Clara University on partial baseball scholarship
Started undergraduate studies in political science with a partial baseball scholarship.
Graduated Redwood High School
Graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur; starred in basketball and baseball.
Underwent elbow surgery (ended varsity baseball hopes)
Elbow surgery late 1985 (torn ulnar collateral ligament), which ended his varsity baseball career at Santa Clara.
Study abroad semester in Rome
Spent a semester in Rome during junior year; credited as an eye-opening global experience influencing his worldview.
Worked briefly in sales and real estate
After graduation he worked briefly in sales and real estate before starting his wine retail business.
Graduated Santa Clara University (BS Political Science)
Earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from Santa Clara University.
Founded PlumpJack Associates L.P.
Created PlumpJack Associates L.P. to develop wine retail and related hospitality ventures (formal founding date 14 May 1991).
Opened PlumpJack Winery (retail wine shop)
Launched the PlumpJack wine store in San Francisco; family friend and billionaire heir Gordon Getty invested in Newsom's early ventures.
Opened PlumpJack Café on Fillmore Street
PlumpJack Café Partners L.P. opened a café; start of expansion into restaurants and hospitality.
Opened PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn with PlumpJack Café
Expanded hospitality footprint with an inn and associated café in Squaw Valley.
Opened Napa winery and Balboa Café Bar & Grill
Expanded PlumpJack into a Napa Valley winery and opened Balboa Café Bar and Grill.
Appointed to San Francisco Parking & Traffic Commission
Willie Brown appointed Newsom to the city's Parking and Traffic Commission; he later became commission president.
Opened PlumpJack Development Fund L.P.; began political involvement
Founded a development fund for his businesses and volunteered/hosted fundraising for Willie Brown's successful 1995 mayoral campaign; later appointed to Parking & Traffic Commission.
Appointed to San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Mayor Willie Brown appointed Newsom to fill the vacancy left by Kevin Shelley (sworn in Jan 8, 1997); he was the youngest supervisor then.
Opened MatrixFillmore Bar
Continued expansion of PlumpJack restaurant/bar businesses with MatrixFillmore (1998).
Elected to full term on the Board of Supervisors
Elected to a full four-year term representing parts of affluent northern San Francisco.
Opened PlumpJack Wines Noe Valley shop
Further PlumpJack retail expansion with a Noe Valley branch.
Launched PlumpJackSport and second Balboa Café (Squaw Valley)
Expanded into retail clothing (PlumpJackSport) and opened another Balboa Café location at Squaw Valley.
Paid $500 to SF Republican Party to be on endorsement slate
Paid $500 to the San Francisco Republican Party to appear on their endorsement slate while running for Supervisor; stirred controversy.
Annual income reported >$429,000 (1996–2001)
From 1996–2001 Newsom's annual income was greater than $429,000.
PlumpJack Group grows to manage many businesses and employees
Over time the PlumpJack enterprise expanded to manage dozens of businesses (reported as managing 23 businesses and employing over 700 people in later reporting).
Married first wife Kimberly Guilfoyle (2001) and later divorced (2006)
Married Kimberly Guilfoyle in 2001; divorced in 2006 (public personal milestone affecting profile).
PlumpJack business holdings valued at >$6.9M
By 2002 Newsom's business holdings were valued at more than $6.9 million.
Care Not Cash (Measure N) passed
Voter initiative sponsored by Newsom to reduce direct cash aid and provide housing/treatment for homeless residents; passed and boosted his profile.
Placed first in San Francisco mayoral general election
Took 41.9% in a nine-person field on Nov 4, 2003, advancing to a runoff against Matt Gonzalez.
Won San Francisco mayoral runoff
Defeated Matt Gonzalez in the Dec 9, 2003 runoff with 53% of the vote, a margin of ~11,000 votes.
Directed issuance of same-sex marriage licenses
Gained national attention for directing the SF city–county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004.
Sworn in as Mayor of San Francisco
Assumed office as San Francisco's 42nd mayor on January 8, 2004.
Care Not Cash implementation began
Implementation began July 1, 2004: programs to place homeless people in housing and provide services rather than cash.
Joined hotel workers on picket line
Joined UNITE HERE union members at a hotel workers' strike picket at the Westin St. Francis on Oct 27, 2004.
Pushed for state law on restricted dog breeds
Advocated a state law to allow local communities to restrict certain dog breeds.
Purchased Russian Hill residence
Paid $2,350,000 for a home in the Russian Hill neighborhood (February 2006).
Hotel contract dispute settled
Contract dispute between hotel workers and hotels (which Newsom supported) was settled in September 2006.
Signed Healthy San Francisco into law
Signed law establishing Healthy San Francisco, a citywide universal health care initiative (2007).
Re-elected Mayor of San Francisco
Won reelection on Nov 6, 2007 with over 72% of the vote; began second term focusing on environment, homelessness, healthcare, education, and housing.
Married Jennifer Siebel
Married filmmaker Jennifer Siebel on July 26, 2008 in Stevensville, Montana; the couple have four children.
Featured in Harper's Bazaar as 'New Kennedys' (with then-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle)
2004 Harper's Bazaar feature dubbed Newsom and then-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle 'the New Kennedys' — reflected high public profile.
Placed Russian Hill home on market
Listed the Russian Hill residence for sale in April 2009 for $3,000,000.
Received Leadership for Healthy Communities Award
Received the Leadership for Healthy Communities Award (shared with others) for work expanding access to healthy food and activity options.
Announced candidacy for Governor of California (2010)
Announced a run for governor on April 21, 2009; later withdrew from the race.
Dropped out of 2010 gubernatorial race
With low poll numbers against Jerry Brown, Newsom exited the 2010 gubernatorial primary in October 2009 and opted for the lieutenant governor race.
Named 'America's Most Social Mayor' by Same Point
In 2010 Same Point named Newsom 'America's Most Social Mayor' based on social media analysis of mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities.
Filed initial paperwork to run for Lieutenant Governor
Filed paperwork in February 2010 to run for lieutenant governor; officially announced candidacy in March 2010.
Won Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor
Secured the Democratic nomination in June 2010 for California lieutenant governor.
Elected Lieutenant Governor of California
Won the lieutenant governor election on November 2, 2010.
Sworn in as 49th Lieutenant Governor
Assumed office on January 10, 2011 and served under Governor Jerry Brown.
Hosted 'The Gavin Newsom Show' (start) and later ended 2013
Hosted a TV show while lieutenant governor (Current TV) beginning May 2012 and through 2013.
Began hosting 'The Gavin Newsom Show' on Current TV
Launched a TV show while serving as lieutenant governor (began May 2012); hosted through 2013.
Conceived California Report Card and tech-government initiatives
Worked on the California Report Card and digital tools to engage residents following the release of Citizenville.
Published 'Citizenville'
Released Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government, focusing on Gov 2.0 and digital civic engagement.
Endorsed Proposition 47 (criminal justice reform)
Only statewide politician to endorse Prop 47 in 2014, which reclassified certain nonviolent felonies as misdemeanors; passed Nov 4, 2014.
Re-elected Lieutenant Governor (57.2%)
Won reelection on Nov 4, 2014 with 57.2% of the vote, beginning a second term in January 2015.
Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy convened (initiated 2013) & final report released
Released final report in July 2015 recommending marijuana regulation approaches ahead of a 2016 ballot measure.
Launched Digital Democracy partnership (Cal Poly)
Partnered to launch an online tool using facial and voice recognition to navigate California legislative proceedings (2015).
Opened a campaign account for 2018 gubernatorial bid
On Feb 11, 2015, began raising funds to run for governor in 2018.
Helped secure $15M for 'Promise' programs
Contributed to securing $15 million in the state budget (June 2016) for community-college promise programs.
Sponsored legislation to expand computer science education planning
Sponsored successful legislation (signed by Gov. Brown Sept 2016) initiating planning to expand computer science education in K–12.
Supported Proposition 64 (cannabis legalization)
Supported Prop 64, which legalized adult-use cannabis in California (voter-approved November 2016).
Finished top two in nonpartisan blanket primary for governor
Finished in the top two on June 5, 2018, advancing to the November general election.
Elected Governor of California
Defeated Republican John H. Cox in the Nov 6, 2018 general election by a large margin.
Inaugural Address delivered (Jan 7, 2019)
Delivered his first inaugural address upon being sworn in as governor.
Sworn in as 40th Governor of California
Assumed office as governor on January 7, 2019; inaugural address delivered that day.
State of the State Address (2019)
Delivered the State of the State address on February 12, 2019 (gov.uk listing of key speeches).
Declared moratorium on California death penalty
Issued an executive moratorium on executions on March 13, 2019; granted temporary reprieve to all ~737 death-row inmates.
Granted pardons to seven formerly incarcerated people
One of his first acts of clemency in May 2019, including two Cambodian refugees facing deportation.
Granted additional pardons and parole actions
In November 2019 pardoned three men avoiding deportation; in December 2019 granted parole to a Cambodian refugee—various clemency acts.
French Laundry controversy and recall momentum
Attendance at an event at The French Laundry in Nov 2020 was credited with energizing recall signature collection between Nov–Dec 2020.
State of the State Address (2020)
Delivered State of the State on Feb 19, 2020 (listed among official speeches).
Recall petition introduced
Recall petition against Newsom was launched Feb 21, 2020 citing policy grievances; later approved for circulation June 10, 2020.
Declared state of emergency for COVID-19
Declared a state of emergency on March 4, 2020 after the first COVID-19 death in California to mobilize resources and procurement.
Issued statewide stay-at-home order
Issued a mandatory stay-at-home order on March 19, 2020, limiting movement and closing many in-person businesses.
Recall petition approved for circulation
California secretary of state approved the recall petition for circulation on June 10, 2020.
State of the State Address (2021)
Delivered State of the State on March 9, 2021.
Recall petition signature deadline extended to March 17, 2021
Judge extended the signature deadline to March 17, 2021 because of the pandemic; final verified signature total later reported as 1,719,900.
Signed legislation raising minimum age for police recruits
In September 2021 signed bills that raised minimum age to become a police officer from 18 to 21 and made other policing reforms.
Survived 2021 gubernatorial recall election
Recall election held Sept 14, 2021 — only 38% voted to recall Newsom, so he remained governor.
Denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan
On Jan 13, 2022 Newsom denied parole to Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, overturning a parole board recommendation.
State of the State Address (2022)
Delivered State of the State on March 8, 2022.
Re-elected Governor of California (59.2%)
Won a second full term on Nov 8, 2022, defeating Republican Brian Dahle with 59.2% of the vote.
Noted impact of Silicon Valley Bank collapse on PlumpJack companies
In March 2023 it was acknowledged at least three of Newsom's wine companies (PlumpJack, Cade, Odette) were SVB clients.
Appointed Laphonza Butler to U.S. Senate
After Senator Dianne Feinstein died in September 2023, Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate vacancy (appointment followed Feinstein's death).
Second inaugural address delivered (Jan 6, 2023)
Delivered second inaugural address after being sworn in for a second term.
Ended COVID-19 state of emergency
In February 2023 Newsom ended California's COVID-19 state of emergency.
State of the State Message (Mar 22, 2023)
Delivered a State of the State message on March 22, 2023 (official record of gubernatorial speeches).
State of the State Message (Jun 25, 2024)
A State of the State message delivered June 25, 2024 (listed on the California Governor site).
Hosted podcast 'This Is Gavin Newsom' (since 2025)
Started hosting a podcast described as 'honest discussions' with a range of guests (source references note it began in 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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