[US Midterm Elections] 'Democratic Presidential Contender' Newsom Re-elected Governor of California

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, who is considered a leading Democratic candidate for the next presidential election alongside U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, has easily secured re-election, according to an AP report on the 8th (local time).

CNN and others predicted that Governor Newsom would win re-election with over 60% of the vote in the midterm elections held that day.

AP reported that Governor Newsom won two important votes within about a year, following last September's recall election.

In California, there have been several attempts to recall Governor Newsom since he took office in January 2019. The recall effort gained traction when it was revealed that he attended a birthday party for a close lobbyist friend during last year's COVID-19 lockdown, meeting the requirements for a recall. However, the recall vote resulted in over 60% opposition, allowing Newsom to retain his governorship.

Rather, the recall election, which aimed to oust Newsom, strengthened his political standing in California.

AP explained that after winning the recall vote last year, Governor Newsom signed several bills that allowed him to more freely garner support from Democratic voters in the upcoming Democratic presidential primary. He signed legislation strengthening abortion rights, pledging to provide sanctuary for women amid heated debates over abortion rights. He also banned the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles in California by 2035 and allocated state budget funds to cover health insurance costs for low-income immigrants.

On the other hand, issues such as the increase in homelessness and crime, as well as inflation, have emerged as problems Governor Newsom must address. Upon re-election, Newsom pledged to solve these issues and announced plans to impose new taxes on oil companies as part of these efforts.

Newsom is mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2024 or 2028 presidential election if President Biden does not seek re-election.

Regarding this, Governor Newsom denied the possibility of running, stating that he supports President Biden and wishes for his colleague and friend, Vice President Harris, to become president. At a debate last month, he also said he would serve the full four-year term if re-elected. However, AP noted that promises to serve full terms have often been broken by many politicians in the past.

Matt Barreto, a political science professor at UCLA, commented, "Governor Newsom is becoming one of the most recognized politicians in the Democratic Party."