Newsom and his team have successfully tapped into the need that many rank-and-file Democrats have for adopting a confrontational approach to Trump and his policies. But few people outside of California know much about the governor’s actual record — and many Democratic voters will be turned off to learn that his fervent opposition to a billionaire tax is part of an overall political approach that has trended more and more corporate-friendly.
A year ago, Newsom sent about 100 leaders of California-based companies a prepaid cell phone “programmed with Newsom’s digits and accompanied by notes from the governor himself,” POLITICO reported. One note to the CEO of a big tech corporation said, “If you ever need anything, I’m a phone call away.” While pandering to business elites, Newsom has slashed budgets to assist the poor and near-poor with healthcare, housing and food – in a state where seven million live under the official poverty line and child poverty rates are the highest in the nation.
...
“Governor Newsom’s reluctance to propose meaningful revenue solutions to help blunt the harm of federal cuts undermines his posture to counter the Trump administration.” The statement said that the proposed budget “will leave many Californians without food assistance and healthcare coverage.”
So far, key facts about Newsom’s policy priorities have scarcely gone beyond California’s borders. “National media have focused on Newsom as a personality and potential White House candidate and have almost completely ignored what he has and has not done as a governor,” said columnist Dan Walters, whose five decades covering California politics included 33 years at the Sacramento Bee. “It’s a perpetual failing of national political media to be more interested in image and gamesmanship rather than actual actions, the sizzle rather than the steak, and Newsom is very adept at exploiting that tendency.”
Also see https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/10/gavin-newsom-presidential-candidate-democrats
Like Trump, Newsom breaks promises, serves billionaire interests and mistakes social media theatrics for leadership. Is that really what American voters will want in 2028? After Richard Nixon, Americans chose Jimmy Carter. After George W Bush, they chose Barack Obama. After Trump, they’ll likely want change – authentic, strong, moral leadership, a leader with competence and vision.
"Guys I know we're 2 years out from the Presidentals but stop shitting on the open transphobe who platforms literal Nazis on his podcast, is married to a registered republican and doesnt do anything remotely left leaning for his state. There's worse people out there!"
😐 news flash buddy, theres also better people.
what about:
Key Progressive Laws Enacted by Gavin Newsom
Reproductive Health and Rights
AB 260: Allows health care providers to prescribe abortion medication anonymously and ensures coverage for mifepristone.
AB 1525: Protects attorneys assisting with reproductive care from disciplinary actions.
Increased Protections: California has implemented laws to enhance access to reproductive health care and safeguard providers from legal repercussions.
Health Care Access
Medi-Cal Expansion: Coverage for psychiatric emergencies in hospital emergency rooms under AB 1316.
Behavioral Health Initiatives: Significant funding for residential treatment beds and outpatient slots, enhancing mental health services.
Affordable Medications: Introduction of $11 insulin through CalRx, aimed at making essential medications more affordable.
Housing and Homelessness
Housing Bills: Laws like SB 423 streamline the approval process for affordable housing projects, addressing California's housing crisis.
Support for Homelessness: Initiatives to dismantle homeless encampments while providing necessary support services.
Environmental Policies
Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization: Extends California's cap-and-trade program to 2045, promoting cleaner air and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Investment in Clean Energy: Laws aimed at lowering energy costs and promoting renewable energy sources.
Economic and Social Justice
Minimum Wage Increase: Legislation to raise the minimum wage, benefiting hundreds of thousands of workers.
Support for Undocumented Immigrants: Measures to protect immigrant rights and access to services.
just to start and name a few
The articles I linked specifically point out Gavin's failures on housing and healthcare, so yeah that is very much a start and nothing else.