Dem California Governor Candidate Grades Newsom's Performance

Former state controller Betty Yee offers a mixed assessment of the governor's leadership.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:24pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with a lone desk and chair bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the complex dynamics of California politics.A pensive, introspective view of the inner workings of California's political machinery, as a gubernatorial candidate offers a nuanced assessment of the incumbent's performance.Los Angeles Today

A Democratic candidate for California governor, former state controller Betty Yee, has offered a critical assessment of Gov. Gavin Newsom's performance, giving him a 'B' grade. While Yee praised Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said the state hasn't delivered enough for Californians under his leadership, arguing he has mixed political grandstanding with governing.

Why it matters

Yee's assessment breaks from other Democratic candidates who have been more reluctant to criticize Newsom, a high-profile figure in the party. Her comments highlight an emerging intraparty debate over Newsom's record as the 2026 gubernatorial race takes shape.

The details

In an interview, Yee said Newsom has been 'mixing up the political act and public service a bit too much,' arguing he needs to focus more on 'governing and delivering for Californians.' She praised his pandemic response but said the state has 'lost our way' in other areas. Ultimately, Yee gave Newsom a 'B' grade, while other Democratic candidates have been more reluctant to assess his performance.

  • Yee's interview with KCRA was published on April 12, 2026.

The players

Betty Yee

A Democratic candidate for California governor and former state controller.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California, a Democrat.

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What they’re saying

“I would, however, do that on the political side, not on the public side, just so it's clear that what we're doing on the public side is that we're governing and delivering for Californians.”

— Betty Yee, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate

“Any time our funding, our rights and protections, are under attack, we have to push back.”

— Betty Yee, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The 2026 California gubernatorial race is still in its early stages, and Yee's assessment of Newsom's performance could influence how other candidates approach the incumbent governor as the campaign unfolds.

The takeaway

Yee's willingness to critically evaluate Newsom's record, even as a fellow Democrat, highlights the political complexities the governor may face as he seeks to maintain his party's hold on the state's highest office.