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Governor of California

Gavin Newsom

Democrat · California

40th Governor of California, in office since 2019. Former Mayor of San Francisco and Lieutenant Governor. One of the most prominent progressive governors in the nation. Frequently considered a potential future presidential candidate.

Record

Progressive standard-bearer. Signed sweeping climate legislation targeting net-zero by 2045. Strong gun safety laws. Resisted federal immigration enforcement. Struggles with homelessness crisis but pushes housing reform and mental health investment.

Legislative Record

Recently signed into law

  • CA SB 79 — Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (Signed into law, Oct 10, 2025)
    Overrides local zoning to allow buildings up to seven stories within a quarter-mile of major rail or bus rapid transit stations and up to four stories within a half-mile, with statutory affordability requirements.
  • CA AB 656 — Social Media Account Deletion Right (Signed into law, Oct 8, 2025)
    Requires social media platforms operating in California to make it clear and easy for users to delete their accounts, and requires deletion to trigger full erasure of the user's personal data.
  • CA AB 1264 — Real Food, Healthy Kids Act (Ultra-Processed Food Phase-Out) (Signed into law, Oct 8, 2025)
    First-in-the-nation law establishing a legal definition of 'ultra-processed foods' and tasking CDPH with phasing the most harmful items out of California school meals through 2035.
  • CA SB 398 — Vote-Buying Criminalization (Signed into law, Oct 2, 2025)
    Criminalizes offering payment or items of value to incentivize voting or voter registration in California elections.
  • CA SB 42 — Public Financing of Elections Repeal Referendum (Signed into law, Oct 2, 2025)
    Places on the November 2026 ballot a measure to repeal California's existing ban on public financing of elections, opening the door to publicly financed campaign systems at the city and county level.
  • CA insulin cap — $35 Monthly Insulin Copay Cap (Signed into law, Sep 25, 2025)
    Caps insulin copays at $35 per month for state-regulated health insurance plans; pairs with CalRx, which authorizes the state to manufacture and sell insulin and naloxone directly.

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