Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the resignation of his chief of staff, Dana Williamson. And he named Nathan Barankin, a former aide to Vice President Kamala Harris, the fourth person in six years to fill the top post.
Speculation about his political future comes as the Democratic leader transitions from a veteran Sacramento businessman to one with Washington experience for his final two years as California governor. It’s increasing.
“I am extremely grateful to Dana for her legal service and her service to our state and Californians over the past two years,” Newsom said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome Nathan. His leadership and vision will ensure that our administration continues to deliver on our promise to create a more affordable, healthy, and prosperous California.”
Mr. Barankin, who is married to Mr. Newsom’s Cabinet Secretary Ann Paterson, left his consulting firm and joined the governor’s office two months ago as a senior adviser during the long-term transition. He was a senior adviser to Harris during her unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign, served as her Senate chief of staff and worked as her right-hand man in the California attorney general’s office.
Compared to previous governors, Governor Newsom had particularly high staff turnover. Each of Barankin’s predecessors in Newsom’s office served in fast-paced, demanding roles for about two years.
Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist who worked for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said it’s a “burning job” and described Barankin as “an experienced, stable, solid person.” I commented.
“I can’t think of who would have been a better choice,” he said.
In 2018, the governor hired Ann O’Leary, a Washington D.C. policy veteran and longtime Hillary Clinton aide, as his first chief of staff, even though he was unfamiliar with Sacramento, and the California politician was hired as his first chief of staff. It surprised me. Mr. O’Leary was a step back to get his administration off the ground, battling then-President Trump and managing the state’s response through the first tumultuous year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Newsom went in the opposite direction in late 2020 when he hired Mr. O’Leary to replace Mr. Jim DeVue, a veteran political operative with experience working inside and outside of California government. Mr. Debbou stabilized the relationship between the governor and legislators and interest groups and helped steer policy. The path to normalcy after the pandemic. He guided Governor Newsom’s team through Republican efforts to remove him from office in 2021 and as he sought reelection for a second term in 2022.
Mr. Williamson, who had a reputation as a wise and tough Cabinet secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown, joined Mr. Newsom’s office in early 2023, replacing Mr. Debbou. She took office at a time when California’s budget outlook was rapidly shifting from a surplus to a deficit, forcing Mr. Newsom to cut programs and defund some of his policy commitments.
She has led political battles between the governor and the oil industry, promoted business-worker agreements over fast-food worker pay and workplace litigation, and helped Newsom travel around the country during his 2024 presidential campaign. During that time, he provided a steady hand in Sacramento.
“It’s always difficult to step away from this work, but in two short years we’ve been able to make a lasting impact,” Williamson said in a statement. “I have had the honor of serving under three governors, and if you ask me what I will miss most, my answer is always the same: It’s a privilege to work with some of the brightest and most dedicated people, and I’m grateful for every day I get to work with them.”
Mr. Barankin said Mr. Newsom’s expected fights over abortion access, climate change programs, disaster relief, and the loss of billions of dollars in federal funding that could worsen California’s bleak future fiscal outlook. He will take the reins as he prepares for a battle with the incoming Trump administration.
The new chief of staff will also face the responsibility of cementing Plath’s legacy as the 40th governor of a state plagued by homelessness, the housing crisis and other major issues, while Newsom He is preparing to run for president in 2028.
“I am humbled to be taking on this role at a time of both challenge and opportunity,” Barankin said. “As Chief of Staff, I am committed to serving Californians by advancing the Governor’s bold policies that create jobs, ensure safe communities, and improve the health and well-being of all families in our state. focus.”
