California Governor Gavin Newsom has drawn sharp backlash after telling an Atlanta audience, “I’m like you,”while describing his low SAT score and reading difficulties, remarks critics have interpreted as an ill-judged attempt to connect with black voters.
Newsom, widely discussed as a potential candidate for the 2028 US presidential election, made the comments during an appearance aimed at engaging African-American voters.
Newsom was in Georgia to promote his memoir, ‘Young Man in a Hurry’ as part of a multi-state book tour that is adding to speculation about a possible 2028 presidential campaign. During a Sunday conversation with Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s mayor, Newsom was asked what he hoped readers would take from the book.