California voters elected Gavin Newsom as the next Governor of California on Tuesday.
“This election in every way, shape or form is California’s moment,” said Governor-elect Gavin Newsom in his 10-minute victory speech in Los Angeles. “This is not just a state of resistance, this is a state of results.”
Newsom, the current lieutenant governor, ran a campaign focused heavily on education and criminal justice reform, as well as continuing the legislative legacy of his soon-to-be predecessor, Governor Jerry Brown.
“We have had 3 million net new jobs in California since Governor Jerry Brown took the oath of office,” Newsom said at a Oct. 30 breakfast hosted by former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Newsom first announced his candidacy for governor almost four years ago. He stated that he expected costs for the campaign to be high, so he reach out to likely donors as early as possible.
“I’ve never been a fan of pretense or procrastination,” Newsom stated in a Facebook post dated February 11, 2015.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Newsom gathered more than $58 million over the course of his campaign, tripling the amount raised by John Cox.
As lieutenant governor, Newsom introduced sports reform policies in the University of California system that gave student-athletes more academic and financial support to increase their graduation rates.
Newsom played a number of sports when he attended Redwood City High School, eventually earning a scholarship to Santa Clara University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1989.
Chemical engineering junior Emma Wittry said she feels neutral about the results of the governor’s race, but is proud of the journey she went through to cast her vote.
“I was registered to vote in San Benito County, so I had my dad pick me up to take me home Monday night,” she said. “I woke up as soon as the polls opened, voted, then took the bus right back to San Jose.”
Living in a blue state, software engineering senior Abraham Tesfay, who identifies as an independent, felt like his vote would not make much of an impact. He voted for John Cox in the election.
“I want to see change in California, and I don’t think the Democratic Party has been changing much lately,” Tesfay explained. “Student debt and the rising cost of living is a real issue for me, and I didn’t see Newsom talk that much about it.”
Though Tesfay said he also feels indifferent about the governor’s race results, he hopes Newsom will work with the state to make housing more affordable.
“I don’t know a whole lot about Newsom, but I will be keeping my mind open,” Tesfay said.
Newsom will take over the governorship from Brown on January 7 2019.
“I’ve listened and learned from Californians of every walk of life,” Newsom said. “Because I know that on Wednesday is when the true work really begins."
“I want to see change in California, and I don’t think the Democratic Party has been changing much lately,” Tesfay explained. “Student debt and the rising cost of living is a real issue for me, and I didn’t see Newsom talk that much about it.”
Though Tesfay said he also feels indifferent about the governor’s race results, he hopes Newsom will work with the state to make housing more affordable.
“I don’t know a whole lot about Newsom, but I will be keeping my mind open,” Tesfay said.
Newsom will take over the governorship from Brown on Jan. 7, 2019.
“I’ve listened and learned from Californians of every walk of life,” Newsom said. “Because I know that on Wednesday is when the true work really begins.”
