Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines, 18 February 2026 — By WPS News Political Correspondents

SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has built a national profile as a vocal defender of liberal values, clashing with conservative policies on issues from abortion rights to climate action. Yet his record on economic matters—marked by pro-business pragmatism, vetoes of certain labor measures, and resistance to aggressive wealth taxes—has prompted critics on the left to label him a neoliberal, an ideology emphasizing market-oriented policies, deregulation, and fiscal restraint often paired with social liberalism (Harvey, 2005).

A Self-Described “Fiscal Watchdog”

Newsom, who has described himself as a “social liberal and a fiscal watchdog,” has long positioned himself as a centrist Democrat (Wikipedia contributors, 2026). During his time as San Francisco mayor, he pursued business-friendly initiatives while implementing cuts to welfare payments for the homeless, a move that alienated progressives but appealed to moderate and corporate interests (Politico, 2022).

As governor, he has vetoed legislation extending unemployment benefits to striking workers and supported policies advancing self-driving vehicles, actions critics argue prioritize corporate innovation over union protections and worker rights (Jacobin, 2023).

More Moderate Than Most California Democrats

A 2019 analysis of his bill-signing record found Newsom more moderate than nearly every Democratic state legislator in California, often acting as a brake on ambitious left-wing proposals (CalMatters, 2019). More recently, he has opposed a proposed billionaire tax, drawing accusations of favoring corporatism and the wealthy over systemic redistribution—traits associated with neoliberal Democrats like Hillary Clinton (Common Dreams, 2026).

Progressive outlets have described his approach as insufficiently committed to economic populism, with one analysis arguing he is “not a progressive” and prioritizes cultural liberalism over structural change (Current Affairs, 2023).

Rebranding for a Broader Audience

Newsom has sought to rebrand himself ahead of potential higher ambitions, appealing to the political center by hosting dialogues with right-wing figures and distancing from a strict “San Francisco liberal” image (AP News, 2025). This shift has frustrated California’s left, who see it as a slide toward moderation that undercuts bolder reforms (CalMatters, 2023).

While he champions progressive social causes—including LGBTQ rights, gun control, and climate initiatives—his fiscal caution and business-oriented decisions align closely with neoliberal tenets of market confidence and limited government intervention in the economy.

A Persistent Debate

Whether Newsom fully embodies neoliberalism remains debated; he has not self-identified as such, and supporters highlight his pragmatic governance in a one-party dominant state. Still, his blend of social liberalism with economic centrism has solidified his reputation as a moderate figure in an increasingly polarized Democratic Party.

References
Associated Press. (2025, May 15). California Gov. Gavin Newsom tries to rebrand himself ahead of a potential presidential run. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/gavin-newsom-california-governor-president-2028-moderate-7dfb281af0674e8b09304de94a6a8868

Burgis, B. (2023, October 5). Gavin Newsom keeps throwing workers under the (self-driving) bus. Jacobin. https://jacobin.com/2023/10/gavin-newsom-anti-worker-legislation-liberalism

Current Affairs. (2023, November 27). Gavin Newsom is not a progressive. Current Affairs. https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2023/11/gavin-newsom-is-not-a-progressive

Harvey, D. (2005). A brief history of neoliberalism. Oxford University Press.

Kamal, S. (2023, October 17). Newsom slides to right, frustrating progressive politicians’ big hopes. CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/commentary/2023/10/newsom-slides-to-right-frustrating-progressives-politicians-big-hopes

Martin, J. (2022, December 29). Newsom’s moderate course in California angers critics as his national profile rises. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/29/gavin-newsom-moderate-national-profile-00075172

Solomon, N. (2026, February 5). The actual Gavin Newsom is much worse than you think. Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/is-gavin-newsom-progressive

Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Gavin Newsom. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Newsom

Woolfolk, J. (2019, October 21). Gavin Newsom, moderate? Almost every CA Dem legislator is further left. CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/politics/2019/10/gavin-newsom-moderate-governor-california-political-spectrum

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