Gavin Newsom's career in politics: How the multimillionaire restaurateur became the Democrats' candidate-in-waiting for the presidency

The son of a judge, Newsom took an early interest in politics

Born in 1967 to William Newsom, a California Superior Court judge, and Tessa Thomas (née Menzies), a waitress and paralegal, Newsom had political exposure from his early years. He pursued a degree in political science from Santa Clara University in 1989, after which he created the PlumpJack Group winery with family friend Gordon Getty, billionaire oil tycoon heir, as an investor.

He became the youngest ever member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Newsom became the youngest ever member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors when he was appointed in 1997 by then-Mayor Willie Brown — after hosting a fundraising event for Brown at his PlumpJack Cafe's private dining room. 

Though his career in public service had just begun, in 1998 Newsom told a reporter he wanted to be president of the United States.

And served as Mayor of San Francisco, the youngest ever elected, for two terms.

Newsom served as Mayor of San Francisco from 2004-2011, campaigning on a business-friendly centrist platform. The self-described "social liberal" and "fiscal watchdog" had support in his campaigns from established Democratic Party figures such as Bill Clinton, and Al Gore.

As Mayor, Newsom championed LGBTQ+ rights and environmental initiatives

In 2004, Newsom urged the city clerk to issue same-sex couples marriage licenses in violation of a state law that had passed several years prior. He also joined striking union hotel workers on the picket line.

His Democratic star power began to rise

Newsom, as San Francisco's mayor, became a key player in major Democratic political campaigns, from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama.

Newsom became Lieutenant Governor of California in 2011 after a failed 2009 bid to become Governor.

Newsom suspended his campaign for Governor in October 2009, filing paperwork to become the state's Lieutenant Governor just months later in February 2010. He assumed the position in 2011, serving for two terms under Governor Jerry Brown.

Newsom became Governor of the Golden State in 2019.

As Newsom had already had his sights set on the Governor's office before, his run to fill Brown's seat came as no surprise. He began fundraising in 2015 for the 2018 election, which he won in a landslide against Republican challenger John H. Cox, and was sworn into office in 2019.

Critics tried unsuccessfully to recall him from office.

Newsom faced harsh criticism from his political opponents regarding his pledge to keep California a "sanctuary state" for immigrants, as well as his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw businesses across the state close down while Newsom was spotted dining with lobbyists at the elite Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry.

While a recall attempt eventually made the ballot, in a move Newsom compared to attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, it received just 38 percent of the vote and failed.

DeSantis has become one of Newsom's chief political rivals

As Newsom has more consistently positioned himself as a national voice of authority on issues from immigration to abortion, he has developed a high-profile feud with the Governor of Florida. DeSantis has mocked Newsom's obvious political aspirations, calling Newsom's delay in launching a presidential campaign bid against Biden "pussyfooting around."

Newsom has likewise taken shots at the GOP Governor, calling DeSantis a "small, pathetic man," and floating kidnapping charges against him after immigrants from Florida were "dumped" in California.

Though Newsom's presidential aspirations are clear, he's said for now it's "time to move on" and support Biden's reelection.

Newsom's will-he-or-won't-he relationship with a presidential campaign has garnered headlines for years, with the California Governor consistently teasing the idea. This year, though, he says it's "time to move on" from the speculation and rumors, and support Biden's re-election. But when Biden clears the office, Democrats have Newsom waiting in the wings.