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Last Updated on: 18th June 2024, 09:30 am
Gavin Christopher Newsom has been the governor of California since 2019, succeeding his role as lieutenant governor of the state from 2011 to 2019. Before his tenure as governor, he also served as the mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011.
Here are some more facts about Newsom that may surprise you
1. He Suffers From Dyslexia
Gavin Newsom has been very open about his struggle with dyslexia, a neurologically based learning disability affecting reading. Despite his challenges, he has developed coping strategies, including strong memorization skills and underlining important points when reading. Newsom’s experiences with dyslexia have shaped his perspectives and contributed to his strong advocacy for understanding and addressing this learning disorder.
2. He Has Been On The Forefront Of The Progressive Agenda
Gavin Newsom gained international attention as the mayor of San Francisco in 2004 when he allowed same-sex marriages, citing California’s anti-discrimination laws.
The subsequent nullification of these marriages by the state’s Supreme Court preceded the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2015, establishing nationwide same-sex marriage rights.
Newsom also advocated for marijuana legalization, leading the campaign for Proposition 64, which was approved by voters in 2016, legalizing recreational marijuana use in California. Additionally, he successfully advocated for Proposition 63, requiring background checks for ammunition purchases and banning possession of large-capacity magazines.
3. He Was Once Married To Donald Trump Jr.’s Fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle
Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco and current California governor, was previously married to former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is now engaged to Donald Trump Jr.
In 2006, the couple announced they were splitting up.
It was later revealed that in 2005, Newsom had cheated on Guilfoyle with the wife of his then-campaign manager, Ruby Rippey-Tourk.
When the story broke, Newsom apologized publicly to his campaign manager Alex Tourk, saying, “Everything you’ve heard and read is true. And I am deeply sorry about that,” according to The New York Times.
4. He is currently married to Jennifer Siebel Newsom
In 2008, Newsom married Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker. She has also acted in shows like “Mad Men,” “Numb3rs,” and a bunch of movies.
They have four children together.
Newsom has also been linked to other notable figures, including Sofia Vergara and Padma Lakshmi.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, his current wife, has faced personal tragedy in her past, losing her sister in a childhood accident. Throughout his career, Newsom has emphasized the importance of his family and their support in his endeavors.
5. He Faced Recall But Survived
In 2021, Newsom faced a recall effort, with over 1.6 million verified signatures, exceeding the threshold for a recall vote.
In the recall election, where voters were asked two questions – whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom and who should replace him if recalled – 44.4% of nearly 9.6 million ballots did not include a choice for a replacement candidate.
This was a strategy encouraged by the “no” campaign, supported by Newsom, to skip the second question and focus on rejecting the recall. The tactic appears to have been successful, contributing to the defeat of the recall attempt by a 28% margin.
Larry Elder, a prominent Republican candidate, highlighted his 47% showing among voters who picked a replacement candidate.
Democrats largely left question two blank, correlating with their preference to reject the recall and not engage with selecting an alternative candidate. Some Democrats did vote for various replacement candidates, but there was no clear consensus among them.
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