"Newsom's surge this year - driven partly by his trolling of President Trump and a successful redistricting push in California to counter Trump's red-state redistricting - has drawn respect and envy from other Democratic leaders. Many now begrudgingly admit they underestimated him."
"If primary voters prioritize electability, Newsom - a former San Francisco mayor and current leader of left-leaning California - could be seen as a risky choice, the operatives say. Newsom has defended providing health care for undocumented immigrants because he supports universal health care - a mainstream position in the 2020 Democratic primary that some Democrats have abandoned. Affordability, housing and homelessness remain big problems in California, despite Newsom initiatives as mayor and governor to address them. The wealthy Getty family has been a key backer and funder of Newsom's political and business career, leading some of his opponents in California to call him a slick "Davos Democrat.""
"When he was San Francisco's mayor in early 2007, Newsom apologized for having an affair with his campaign manager's wife, who was also a subordinate in his mayoral office. Newsom subsequently went to alcohol counseling and said: "I have come to the conclusion that I will be a better person without alcohol in my life.""
Gavin Newsom has sought to preempt criticisms as his national profile rises. His surge this year, aided by trolling of President Trump and a redistricting push in California, has earned respect and envy among Democratic leaders and led some to admit they underestimated him. Opponents are likely to portray him as a too-liberal, coastal elite whose policy positions include defending health care for undocumented immigrants and backing universal health care. Persistent affordability, housing, and homelessness problems in California complicate his record. Wealthy backers such as the Getty family fuel perceptions of elite ties. Past personal scandals and alcohol counseling also shadow his prospects.
Read at Axios
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