Op-ed: Did Gavin Newsom have a Saul-to-Paul encounter – or is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave his ‘Damascus Road’?

In recent weeks, it seems every time you turn around, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is embracing another politically conservative position.

First, he said men shouldn’t play in women’s sports. Then, he appeared to pull back support for state-funded sex changes for prisoners. Now, he’s saying no new Medi-Cal enrollments for adult illegal immigrants. He’s also rejected the term “Latinx” after using it for years.

But has Newsom – a liberal Democrat who has spent years doing the opposite – really “seen the light,” or is he simply trying to bolster his chances for a 2028 presidential run? 

The latter seems far more likely. 

As recently as last year, with Joe Biden in the White House, Newsom supported nearly every far-left policy.  

California was an early adopter of the radical transgender agenda, passing a series of laws that culminated in the SAFETY Act in 2024 – legislation that contributed to high-profile exits from the state, including Elon Musk. 

Newsom didn’t apologize or express doubt at the time. In fact, he doubled down. Nothing seemed to trouble his conscience – until the political winds shifted. 

With Donald Trump back in the White House and the nation arriving at a more conservative consensus on gender issues, and with the 2028 primaries just three years away, the ever-savvy – some say slimy – Newsom has changed his tune. 

Suddenly, it’s “deeply unfair” for girls to compete against biological boys. Suddenly, illegal immigrants shouldn’t receive state benefits. Suddenly, state funding for transgender surgeries is no longer la cause du jour. Suddenly Latino’s are not “Latinx.” 

When a politician changes this quickly – and this drastically – across multiple issues, it’s fair to ask what’s really happening. 

There’s little evidence the governor has walked the biblical Damascus road – where Saul became Paul after encountering Christ – but rather is considering his path to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

The hard part is that Americans have short memories. 

Newsom and his Democrat allies wreaked havoc in California, leading to population loss as residents fled in search of greater freedom of conscience, lower taxes and a friendlier business climate.  

The Golden State now ranks first (or last, really) in outbound migration since COVID – another draconian period in Newsom’s reign – with 1.5 million people leaving in the past five years. A survey found one in three residents was considering moving due to high housing costs. 

The recent Palisades fires in Los Angeles further exposed the state’s failure to ensure public safety and well-being. And the current $12 billion budget gap points to persistently poor financial management. 

So, will Americans forget the disasters of Newsom’s tenure as quickly as he has pivoted on issues such as women’s sports and illegal immigration? 

This is where the media – especially outlets like The Lion – must hold him accountable. 

Politicians excel at saying what’s needed to get elected. And as a politician, Newsom may be among the best. But that doesn’t mean he’s good at governing. 

As he continues singing his new tune, remember: actions speak louder than words. 

His record tells a completely different story than the one he’s now trying to sell. The real question is, who should voters believe – Gov. Slick, or the 1.5 million Californians who have already left? 

Odds are, they’re the ones who truly “saw the light.”