Gavin Newsom's Cronyism: Taxpayer-Funded Perks for Political Allies
Gov. Gavin Newsom is handing out taxpayer-funded appointments like candy as he nears the end of his governorship, reviving accusations of rampant cronyism that could define his legacy.
His latest move? Appointing Jim DeBoo, a political strategist and former chief of staff, to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, a position that pays nearly $60,000 for monthly meetings.
DeBoo, who launched DeBoo Strategic Affairs in 2023, lacks clear qualifications for the role, and his appointment awaits state Senate confirmation.
This decision has drawn sharp criticism from state Republicans, who see it as another instance of Newsom prioritizing political allies while under federal investigation and eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run.
“Governor Newsom is months away from leaving office, yet he still wants his friends in key government positions, including in roles where subject-matter expertise is in question,” said state Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach.
“This is cronyism at its best.”
Neither the governor's office nor DeBoo responded to requests for comment.
DeBoo entered the governor’s office in 2020 as executive secretary, effectively serving as Newsom’s chief of staff during a time of COVID restrictions and a rising recall campaign.
Since 2020, DeBoo and his firm have raked in over $2.4 million in campaign contributions, according to records from the Secretary of State’s website.
This includes funding for various ballot measures pushed by the state Democratic Party and the governor, notably the 2021 recall effort.
After exiting government, DeBoo became a prominent Democratic consultant in Sacramento.
His firm claims credit for shaping Newsom’s agenda and managing crises while also chairing the governor’s inaugural committee.
He has been instrumental in countering the state billionaire tax while Newsom recently floated a national version.
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board oversees flood-control planning and permitting in one of California’s most vulnerable regions, dealing with levees and projects linked to the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems.
On the same day, Newsom appointed Jared Blumenfeld, his former California Environmental Protection Agency secretary, to the State Water Resources Control Board, a position with a salary of $186,721.
Blumenfeld has more relevant experience than DeBoo but has even deeper ties to Newsom from their time together when he was mayor of San Francisco.
Critics argue these appointments exemplify Newsom's tendency to reward loyalty over merit.
Last week, records revealed a series of appointments to wealthy donors who contributed to Newsom’s political action committees and the California Partners Project, a nonprofit that promotes the public image of Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Among those receiving lucrative appointments are Mark Arabo, CEO of Refined Management, who donated $25,000 just before being appointed to the State Racetrack Leasing Commission; Andrew Tavakoli, chief executive of Tavaco Properties, who contributed $45,000 months prior to his appointment to the Exposition Park and California Science Center Board; and Greg Sarris, leader of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which has given $2.3 million in behested payments to Newsom since 2022.
Sarris was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents in 2023.
“This is just more of the same insider games from Gavin Newsom that puts Californians last,” California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin stated.
“These important boards exist to protect our water, our communities, and our safety, not to serve as cushy rewards for his political allies that damage our communities and drive up our cost of living. The next governor needs to end this decadent system of patronage and put Californians, not their friends, first.”
