PAC spending reveals Newsom’s presidential ambitions.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Ambitious ⁤Political Moves

In March, California ‌governor Gavin Newsom launched a PAC with the aim of challenging “authoritarian leaders” in red states and advocating for a constitutional gun control amendment. In a launch video, Newsom expressed his intention to invest in people and⁢ organizations fighting against these strongmen in these states.

However, the PAC’s spending patterns tell a different story.

Since its ​inception, Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC has raised $3.8 million, according to FEC records. Surprisingly, very little of that money has been used to support political groups fighting against politicians like Florida governor Ron DeSantis or to ⁢push for a constitutional ‌amendment on gun ​control. Instead, Newsom has spent millions on Democratic strategists, nationwide ad​ campaigns, and photo-op visits to red states, all aimed at enhancing his image and political profile.

Political ⁣observers believe that Newsom’s spending spree is indicative of‍ his ambitions to run for⁤ president if President Joe Biden chooses not to seek reelection. “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.”

The Campaign for Democracy has allocated $2.12 million to Aisle 518 Strategies, a progressive firm that has also⁢ worked⁤ with‌ prominent figures like former Democratic presidential‌ candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders and failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Additionally, around $181,000 has been spent on the Democratic advertising firm that Newsom used during his gubernatorial campaign, and approximately $60,000 has gone towards fundraising events and consulting. Meanwhile, Newsom has spent about $42,000 on visits to red states ‌with his family and staff, and ⁢has made direct⁤ contributions of just under $11,000‌ to red-state Democrats.

Newsom’s national fundraising ​and spending activities coincide with President Biden’s record-low approval ratings and⁤ growing discussions among Democrats about potential replacements. According to a recent CNN poll, 75% of Democratic voters do not want Biden to⁣ run again. As Newsom is term-limited as ​governor of California,‌ he has⁣ transferred $11.6 million from⁣ his gubernatorial campaign to ‍the Campaign⁤ for Democracy. In another effort to position himself as a viable alternative to Biden, Newsom has challenged DeSantis to a debate moderated by Sean ​Hannity on Fox News, scheduled for November.

From the beginning, the Campaign for Democracy has‌ run social media ads pitting Newsom against DeSantis ‍and⁤ former President Donald Trump, who are leading contenders in the Republican primary.​ These ⁣ads were initially posted from Newsom’s⁣ gubernatorial campaign account on Facebook.

Since then, the campaign ads have criticized Republicans, called for ‌grassroots support for a gun control amendment, and highlighted Newsom’s appearance on Fox News with conservative host Sean Hannity in June.

Newsom has spent over $40,000 on plane tickets and hotels for whirlwind tours of red states, including Mississippi, Alabama, ​and Arkansas. During these visits, he has shared photos from civil rights sites and​ criticized conservative policies. In April, he even conducted an MSNBC interview with Jen Psaki, Biden’s former White House ​press secretary, in⁢ Alabama.

The PAC’s records also reveal that Newsom has ‌made contributions of $10,000 to Arkansas Democrats and $744 to‍ Colin Allred, the ⁤Democratic challenger to Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz.

According ⁣to Bill Whalen, a research fellow ⁢at the conservative Hoover Institution, the campaign’s setup seems more focused on generating headlines and boosting Newsom’s national image rather than actually helping Democrats in red states or achieving ⁣the stated mission of passing a constitutional amendment. “It’s one thing⁤ to say you want to⁣ get involved in red state ​politics, ⁢and then a whole other thing to go to the red state and put the resources in to ‌try to make a difference,” Whalen commented. “By doing these⁣ symbolic gestures like going to red states to talk about civil rights and gun control, it gives him the appearance of Daniel in the Lion’s Den even though he’s not going anywhere near the lions.”