PAC Spending Shows How Gavin Newsom Is Positioning Himself for a Presidential Bid
Susannah Luthi
August 4, 2023California governor Gavin Newsom in March launched a PAC to take on red-state "authoritarian leaders" and create a constitutional gun control amendment. In fact, Newsom said in the organization's launch video that he was "going to these states" led by these strongmen "and investing in people and organizations where they’re fighting back."
The PAC’s spending suggests the Democrat has different ambitions.
Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC has raised $3.8 million since its launch, according to FEC records, but it’s done little with that money to build up political groups fighting back against politicians like Florida governor Ron DeSantis or push a constitutional amendment for gun control. Instead, Newsom has spent millions on Democratic strategists, nationwide ad buys, and photo-op visits to red states intended to burnish his image and build his political profile.
In short, he's building name recognition, and his spending tells the story of an ambitious Democratic governor ready to jump into the presidential race should President Joe Biden choose not to seek reelection, political observers say. "It's obvious that his 'Campaign for Democracy' is really just a 'Campaign for Gavin Newsom,’" said Michael Ahrens, former communications director for the Republican National Committee. "This is the kind of operation you set up when you want to run for president, and he would absolutely jump in the race if the opportunity presented itself."
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https://freebeacon.com/elections/he-would-absolutely-jump-in-the-race-gavin-newsom-positions-himself-for-presidential-run/
