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Gavin Newsom on Abortion

S.F. Mayor; former Gov. cand.

 


Passed some of the strongest laws protecting women's health

We have passed some of the strongest laws in the nation protecting women's health. We have stood firm against radical lawmakers who would criminalize women in other states. With your help, we are protecting women, MediCal providers, doctors, and healthcare facilities from the forces of darkness in this country. We will never turn our backs on women or threaten their freedom to determine what's best for their bodies.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to California legislature , Jun 25, 2024

Protect Calif. pharmacists dispensing medication abortion

NEW ACTIONS INCLUDE:WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "Republicans are waging a war on women in this country--the courts and red-state legislatures have been relentless in their efforts to target them and health care providers who provide basic reproductive care. It is important for women across our state to know that we will continue to safeguard their reproductive freedoms, and to protect California pharmacists who dispense medication abortion, without fear of persecution or prosecution."
Source: CA Gubernatorial press release 2023, "Medication Abortion" , Apr 18, 2023

Repeal law requiring coroners to investigate stillbirths

Summary by Cal Matters (9/27/22): Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 12 bills, establishing some of the strongest abortion protections in the nation. Collectively, the new laws aim at improving access, ensuring providers and patients cannot be sued or prosecuted, and funding procedures and travel costs for low-income individuals. The most contentious measure abolishes the requirement that coroners investigate stillbirths & prohibits the prosecution of anyone who ends their pregnancy even if the abortion is self-induced or happens outside of the medical system. Protesters & conservative lawmakers claimed the legislation would legalize infanticide, which the sponsor has characterized as "disinformation," adding that Californians will no longer have to fear having their "pregnancy policed by state systems."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-9-1 on Aug/29/22; passed Assembly 54-19-7 on Aug/30/22; Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sep/27/22.

Source: California State Legislature voting records AB2223 , Aug 30, 2022

Provide full reproductive services in jails and prisons

Support by ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union, Aug. 2020):Ensures that pregnant people who are incarcerated receive comprehensive, unbiased information about their reproductive options, get access to timely prenatal and postnatal care, and receive reasonable accommodations and support that help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Summary by ACLU-SoCal:California law and the US Constitution require jails to provide health care for incarcerated persons, which includes reproductive health care. But pregnant people who are incarcerated often receive biased, coercive information about their reproductive options, get substandard prenatal and postnatal care that endangers their health, and are denied reasonable accommodations that help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. That's why we need AB 732.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 33-1-6 on Aug/29/20; passed Assembly 63-0-16 on Aug/30/20; Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept/30/20

Source: ACLU summary of California Legislative voting record AB732 , Sep 30, 2020

Welcome women to CA from states without abortion

As the most populous state and the country's biggest economy, Newsom's actions carry outsize weight--and are guaranteed outsize publicity.

Consider the national attention it garnered when Newsom signed an executive order in March halting executions-- sparing 737 people on California's death row. Witness the proclamation his office wrote last month "welcoming women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights" after a wave of conservative states took steps to limit abortion. Newsom is outspoken on immigration, traveling to El Salvador earlier this year in his first international trip as governor.

"We're going to get it,'' Newsom insists. "We're committed to universal health care. Universal health care means everybody--We will lead a massive expansion of health care, and that's a major deviation from the past.''

Source: Politico.com on 2018 California Gubernatorial race , Jun 17, 2019

Opposes defunding Planned Parenthood

Newsom sounded off after Republican legislation letting states deny federal family planning money to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers squeezed narrowly through the Senate. [Referring to Vice President Mike Pence, he wrote] "Yesterday: Pence led a forum on empowering women," Newsom wrote on Facebook. "Today: Pence led a group of males in a vote to strip access to birth control & cancer screenings. The hypocrisy is astounding."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2018 California governor race , Mar 30, 2017

Other governors on Abortion: Gavin Newsom on other issues:
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Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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