Gavin Newsom's California Power Play: A delicate dance with statewide Democratic politics

Strategic Insights -

California Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing to remake the state's Democratic Party by filling key positions, including the Senate seat left vacant by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and the attorney general job being vacated by President-elect Joe Biden's pick, Xavier Becerra. This is a critical moment for Newsom, who is looking to a second term and a possible future presidential bid. As he navigates this minefield of interest groups, he will have to weigh competing demands from liberals, Hispanic groups, women's groups, and others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Newsom will have to fill the Senate seat vacated by Kamala Harris, a position that has been held by only three senators since 1992
  • The attorney general job in California has proven to be a strong launching pad for ambitious politicians, with the last three holders of the position going on to serve as governor or on national tickets
  • Newsom's choices will have a significant impact on the future of the California Democratic Party and his own long-term political prospects
  • The governor will have to balance competing demands from interest groups, including liberals, Hispanic groups, and women's groups
  • Newsom has resisted discussing the vacancy, instead offering vague statements about not having made a determination yet
  • The appointees will have to run for reelection in 2022, but an appointment gives them a strong shot at holding the seats for years to come

Statistics:

  • California has eight statewide elected offices, including two senators, which means Newsom will be selecting 33% of these positions in the coming weeks
  • Kamala Harris is the first African American woman to be elected to the Senate from California
  • Xavier Becerra is President-elect Joe Biden's pick to be the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services
  • Jerry Brown, who held the California attorney general seat in the early 1970s, went on to serve two terms as governor
  • Rep. Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, has said there should be an African American woman in Congress
  • Hispanic groups are pushing for a Hispanic candidate to fill Harris' seat, with Alex Padilla seen as the front-runner

Sources:

  • CNN: "Gavin Newsom's power play: A delicate dance with statewide Democratic politics"
  • CNN: "Kamala Harris' Senate seat, explained"
  • CNN: "Meet Rep. Karen Bass, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus"
  • California Secretary of State Alex Padilla's website
  • CNN: "Gavin Newsom: Choosing replacements for Harris and Becerra"