By: Giselle Kuang, Leo Schroeder and Tyson Tran, Staff Writers
Gavin Newsom is running for the position of California Governor. Newsom served as mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011 and is currently finishing his second term as Lieutenant Governor of California. In the current 2018 election, Newsom is running against candidates such as John Cox, for California state governor. Newsom would be suitable as a candidate for the position of governor of California because he upholds the standards and morals of California’s democratic majority. Newsom is also a very favored candidate for Californians due to his efforts in supporting the LGBTQ community, his firm stance on needing to protect illegal immigrants, and his continued support in favor of the minorities of California.
Newsom’s views will greatly benefit Californians as he represents their diversity. He offers a safer future for the less heard voices of our golden state with a promise to protect people’s rights. He advocates for equality for the LGBTQ community not only in California, but nationwide and offers protection for the LGBTQ community in times of increasing intolerance in many areas of America.
Newsom strongly supports the continuation of sanctuary cities meant to protect illegal immigrants from prosecution. He has stated numerous times that he will continue to fight for the protection of sanctuary cities. “Our ability to live together and oppose together is what makes California great, and I will always stand for those values,” Newsom said in response to the San Diego Tribune inquiring about his stance on the cities.
Alongside his stance on people’s rights, Newsom also firmly endorses the growth and funding of educational facilities. Newsom’s campaign proposes to increase funding in STEM fields including computer sciences. He proposes to do so by attracting more qualified teachers and by creating funding programs for the student early on in their education. Newsom’s plan oversees the student’s entire academic career from kindergarten all the way to graduating college.
Newsom does however face criticism due to past incidents while in office. The Sacramento Bee states that “In 2007, Gavin Newsom said he quit drinking and would seek professional help for ‘problems with alcohol.’” Newsom also had an affair with his secretary, Ruby Rippey Gibney, during his term as mayor. Both have publicly expressed shame and accepted responsibility. Newsom’s affair, alongside his drinking, has tarnished his reputation. However, he believes in a second chance and redemption.
All in all, Newsom has used his rocky past as a platform to build upon his character. Not only does he voice the opinion of a great majority of California, he also supports humane oppositions to the insensitive propositions of the White House and fights for an equality that reaches beyond ethnicity, sex, or income stability.
