← The field
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California; term-limited.
Latest move
No major news found in the last 7 days.Decided to commute the death sentences of 548 people in California; some of the decisions need court approval. calmatters.org ↗ · Nov 5
Are they running in 2028?
Has said he may run someday; said in September he would not run if Harris launched a campaign.
deseret.com ↗ · Nov 2026
Where Gavin Newsom stands
12 of 12 issues have a clear enough record to place on our scale. Dates show how recent each source is, and older statements may not reflect current views.
Cost of living
Announced that California would sell its own CalRx-label insulin at $11 per pen starting Jan. 1, 2026.
More gov. supportMore free market
wsls.com ↗ · Oct 2025
Health care
Under his budget, Medi-Cal eligibility expanded to all low-income undocumented adults starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Public optionPrivate choice
abc7news.com ↗ · Dec 2023
Immigration
Said "My opinion was a little different than the prior administration's on border security" and backed reform for long-time residents.
Expand pathwaysStricter limits
laist.com ↗ · Feb 2026
Abortion
Signed a law letting providers prescribe abortion pills anonymously; said "California stands for a woman's right to choose."
Protect accessRestrict access
cbsnews.com ↗ · Sep 2025
Taxes
Opposed the proposed state billionaire tax ballot measure, saying "It's really damaging to the state."
Fund programsCut taxes
foxbusiness.com ↗ · Jan 2026 · calmatters.org ↗ Oct 2026
Crime & safety
Opposed Prop. 36 in 2024, saying it "takes us back to the 1980s, mass incarceration."
Reform-focusedEnforcement-focused
abc7news.com ↗ · Sep 2024 · calmatters.org ↗ Feb 2026
Education
His final budget plan kept expanding public school to all 4-year-olds and added funding for community colleges.
More public fundingMore school choice
laist.com ↗ · Jan 2026
Climate & energy
Signed 2025 laws extending cap-and-trade and clearing new Kern County oil wells; said "We have to effectively transition."
Faster clean-energy shiftPrioritize energy costs
laist.com ↗ · Sep 2025 · kpbs.org ↗ Sep 2025
Foreign policy
Called the Iran war reckless and said Trump "manufactured" the crisis.
More engaged abroadFocus at home
washingtonexaminer.com ↗ · Mar 2026
Trade & tariffs
Sued in 2025 to block federal tariffs, saying "No state is poised to lose more than the state of California."
Open tradeTariffs to protect industry
kpbs.org ↗ · Apr 2025 · cbsnews.com ↗ Apr 2025
Guns
Signed 10 gun bills in 2026, including one requiring 3D printers sold in California to block printing of guns.
Stricter gun lawsProtect gun rights
nbcpalmsprings.com ↗ · Sep 2026
AI & technology
Signed SB 53, requiring developers of the most powerful AI models to publish safety frameworks and report major incidents.
More regulationFewer rules
statescoop.com ↗ · Sep 2025
Placement on each scale is our reading of the linked source and is not independently verified. Not an endorsement. See something wrong? Send a correction.