Drop Out

Newsom Quits California Race

Poor polls and fundraising dogged his governor's bid.

Handsome San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he’s quitting the race to be the next governor of California. Though he was seen as a leading contender for the position, Newsom announced on Friday his withdrawal from the Democratic primary, citing responsibilities to both his family and San Francisco City Hall. “I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to—and should be—done,” Newsom said. Newsom has trailed State Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown in polls and fundraising, leaving him a clear path to the Democratic nomination. Although Newsom has been running for over a year, his campaign never got far off the ground and he reportedly told those close to him that he did not want to embarrass himself in the race to be California’s next governor.