Gov. Gavin Newsom Secretly Raising Money for Presidential Run
Governor Gavin Newsom has embarked on fundraising strategies commonly employed by potential presidential contenders, establishing a trio of committees that,
Nik Richie
Governor Gavin Newsom has embarked on fundraising strategies commonly employed by potential presidential contenders, establishing a trio of committees that, within their initial three months, have both raised and expended millions of dollars. These committees comprise a political action committee (PAC), a SuperPAC, and a joint fundraising committee, each serving distinct roles in amassing financial support.
The three committees under Newsom’s umbrella are a political action committee, which enforces a yearly contribution cap of $5,000 and holds the capacity to contribute to individual candidates; a SuperPAC, authorized to gather unlimited financial resources while refraining from championing a specific candidate; and a joint fundraising committee, which primarily functions as an intermediary for collecting and dispersing funds to the other groups.
Despite persistent assertions from Newsom that he harbors no intention of pursuing the presidency in the upcoming year, the groundwork laid by these fundraising endeavors suggests otherwise. The absence of an incumbent Democratic President in 2028, regardless of President Joe Biden’s outcome, leaves a vacant space that politicians like Newsom may contemplate filling. With his status as the Governor of the nation’s most populous state and a two-time victor in elections and a recall, Newsom is well-poised for a potential White House bid.
According to Brendan Glavin, a senior data analyst at Open Secrets, the creation of this triumvirate of fundraising committees aligns with typical preliminary steps taken by individuals contemplating a presidential campaign. While Glavin maintains that the trajectory is not definitive, the amalgamation of these efforts signals a level of consideration for such a pursuit. However, Nathan Click, a campaign advisor for Newsom, steadfastly denies this narrative and cites numerous instances wherein the governor has unequivocally stated his lack of interest in pursuing the presidency.