Newsom Expands Taxpayer-Funded Media Team to 24 Employees
Governor Gavin Newsom doubled his state-funded communications staff to 24 employees, sparking criticism that he is using public funds to build a presidential profile.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has expanded his taxpayer-funded communications team into an around-the-clock media operation, nearly doubling the staff since the pandemic. According to a CalMatters investigation, the team now consists of 24 employees with a collective annual payroll of at least $2.6 million. This includes specialized roles such as a full-time photographer earning $212,000 a year to manage visual messaging and narrative development.
The operation prioritizes direct-to-voter digital content, including TikToks, memes, and a podcast featuring conservative guests to reach audiences beyond the liberal base. This shift toward digital content has coincided with a decline in traditional press access in Sacramento, where reports indicate the governor rarely takes questions and state agencies frequently shun interview requests.
Republican strategist Rob Stutzman argues that Newsom is blurring ethical lines by using state resources to run a political account and adopting a "Trumpian" playbook of mockery and snark to build his image for a potential 2028 presidential run. Conversely, Newsom's office defends the spending as a necessary state operation to counter right-wing propaganda and misinformation that could damage California's interests. Former communications director Erin Mellon noted that the governor views publicity as a core component of public policy strategy.
