Newsom Pleads with Supporters to Buy Memoir Ahead of Potential 2028 Run

California governor hopes to land 'New York Times bestseller' title with 'very personal' book launch

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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California Governor Gavin Newsom is aggressively promoting the upcoming release of his memoir, 'Young Man in a Hurry,' in an effort to boost book sales and potentially land on the New York Times bestseller list. In a recent email to supporters of his Campaign for Democracy PAC, Newsom asked them to purchase copies of the book, which he describes as 'very personal' and covering 'some of the political stories' of his life and career.

Why it matters

Newsom's push to promote his memoir is seen as part of a broader effort to raise his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run. The book is expected to provide an intimate look at Newsom's personal life and political rise, which critics have dismissed as a 'sob story' intended to recast the career politician as an everyman.

The details

In the email, Newsom attached a photo of himself with a copy of the book, which is set to launch on February 24. He appealed to supporters to help him outsell a 'far-right book about the Great Replacement Theory' that is currently the #1 New York Times bestseller. Newsom's memoir is said to include 'personal interactions with President Trump' and details about his childhood, including struggles with dyslexia and his parents' divorce.

  • Newsom's memoir, 'Young Man in a Hurry,' is set to launch on February 24, 2026.
  • Newsom sent the email to supporters on February 12, 2026, less than two weeks before the book's release.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California who is promoting the release of his memoir, 'Young Man in a Hurry,' as part of a broader effort to raise his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.

Bill Newsom

Gavin Newsom's father, a prominent attorney and close friend of billionaire Gordon Getty.

Tessa Menzies

Gavin Newsom's mother, who struggled financially when Newsom was a child.

Peter Schweizer

The author of 'The Invisible War,' a book that Newsom is hoping to outsell with his own memoir.

Gordon Getty

A billionaire who was a close friend of Gavin Newsom's father, Bill Newsom.

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What they’re saying

“See this book? It comes out in less than two weeks, and I'd really like you to read it.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (Campaign for Democracy PAC email)

“The book covers some very personal ground, but also has some of the political stories I'm sure you'll enjoy.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (Campaign for Democracy PAC email)

“And as an added bonus, the #1 NYT best-seller right now is a far-right book about the Great Replacement Theory. So... let's replace that.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (Campaign for Democracy PAC email)

What’s next

Newsom's memoir, 'Young Man in a Hurry,' is set to launch on February 24, 2026. The governor is hoping the book will help boost his national profile and potentially land him on the New York Times bestseller list, which he sees as an important milestone ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.

The takeaway

Newsom's aggressive promotion of his memoir highlights the growing trend of politicians using books as a platform to shape their public image and lay the groundwork for future political ambitions. While the book is billed as a personal account, critics have accused Newsom of using it as a 'sob story' to recast himself as an everyman, raising questions about the authenticity of such efforts.