CA Democrats organize Trump opposition this weekend. Gavin Newsom won’t be there
When thousands of California Democrats converge in Anaheim this weekend to process 2024’s presidential election loss and begin planning for the midterms, Gov. Gavin Newsom won’t be among them.
Newsom’s campaign spokesman, Nathan Click, confirmed the governor is skipping the statewide party’s spring convention due to scheduling conflicts.
Instead of popping down to Anaheim, Newsom will attend “key Democratic Governors Association working meetings to coordinate on defending Democratic values, pushing back on Trump’s reckless tariff regime, and fighting Trump’s assault on healthcare.”
The DGA is holding a spring policy conference in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday and Monday. The Democratic convention takes place in a convention center a block from Disneyland Friday through Sunday. Headlining speakers will address delegates during sessions on Saturday.
Newsom also did not attend the last statewide Democratic convention in 2023, which took place in Sacramento.
His decision to skip the upcoming convention – which doubles as a political pep rally for the party’s most active members – is in line with Newsom’s sharpened focus on national politics.
It also comes as some California Dems say they feel alienated from their governor after his comments on transgender athletes, proposed freeze on Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants and cuts to state funding for groups including Planned Parenthood.
According to a recent poll, 43% of California voters say Newsom’s recent words and actions are a betrayal of his own values or a “fake attempt to make people think he is changing.”
Newsom leaves the governor’s office in early 2027 and is widely expected to run for president in the 2028 cycle.
A spokesperson for California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks declined to comment on the governor’s plans to skip the convention. Hicks is seeking reelection this weekend to the statewide party’s top spot, a position he has held since 2019.
The three-day conference’s speaking lineup includes other party leaders including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and members of the California congressional delegation including Sen. Adam Schiff and Reps. Robert Garcia, Derek Tran, Dave Min, Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Jimmy Gomez.
“At a time when MAGA Republicans are attacking our rights, our freedoms, and our democracy, California Democrats in Congress are united, focused, and fighting back,” Hicks said in a statement announcing the congressional speaking lineup.
Delegates will also attend caucus meetings, training sessions ahead of next year’s midterm elections, and plenty of social events including a karaoke night hosted by Treasurer Fiona Ma and a “Rage for Democracy” party thrown by Senate Democrats and labor unions.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM.
