Gavin Christopher Newsom (born October 10, 1967) is an American politician and businessman who is the 40th governor of California, serving since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 49th lieutenant governor of California from 2011 to 2019 and as the 42nd mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011.
Political Notebook: Newsom recall backers race to meet March deadline
As California Governor Gavin Newsom faces mounting criticism of his handling of the state's COVID pandemic response, backers of an effort to recall him are racing to meet a March deadline to gather enough valid signatures to qualify it.
If they do then the recall vote would be held later in 2021, and several Republicans have already said they would run to succeed the Democratic Newsom.
Among them are former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, whose exploratory committee already has raised $1 million since launching three weeks ago, and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 gubernatorial race. "I'm running for governor to lead the California comeback and fulfill California's promise of freedom, fairness, and opportunity,"
