Gov. Gavin Newsom is giving certainly one of his most trusted political troopers a comfortable, taxpayer-funded appointment as he nears the tip of his tenure main California, reviving accusations “cronyism” could also be one of many lasting legacies of this governorship.
Newsom has tapped his political strategist and former chief of employees, Jim DeBoo, for a seat on the Central Valley Flood Safety Board, a job paying almost $60,000 for month-to-month board conferences.
DeBoo, who based DeBoo Strategic Affairs in 2023, seems to have little apparent expertise for the function, and his standing for the job is pending affirmation by the state Senate.
The choose drew fireplace from state Republicans, who known as it one other instance of Newsom — who’s the topic of a federal investigation — caring for political allies as he appears to be like past California and towards a possible 2028 White Home bid.
“Governor Newsom is months away from leaving workplace, but he nonetheless desires his mates in key authorities positions, together with in roles the place subject-matter experience is in query,” stated state Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Seashore.
“That is cronyism at its finest.”
The governor’s workplace and DeBoo didn’t reply to requests for remark.
DeBoo was introduced into the governor’s workplace in 2020 as government secretary, successfully making him Newsom’s chief of employees because the state was nonetheless beneath COVID restrictions and a recall marketing campaign was gaining momentum.
He and his agency have hauled in additional than $2.4 million in marketing campaign cash since 2020, in response to The Put up’s overview of information on the Secretary of State’s web site.
This work included quite a few poll measures by the state Democratic Get together and the governor, together with the 2021 recall.
After leaving authorities, DeBoo turned certainly one of Sacramento’s best-known Democratic consultants.
His agency has touted his work shaping Newsom’s agenda, managing the administration by means of main crises and serving as chair of the governor’s inaugural committee.
He has helped Newsom push again on the state billionaire tax whereas the governor final week pivoted to floating a nationwide billionaire tax.
In the meantime, the Central Valley Flood Safety Board oversees flood-control planning and allowing throughout certainly one of California’s most flood-prone areas, together with levees, floodways and tasks tied to the Sacramento and San Joaquin river methods.
Additionally on Friday, Newsom appointed Jared Blumenfeld, his former California Environmental Safety Company secretary, to the State Water Assets Management Board, a job paying $186,721.
Blumenfeld notably has extra expertise for this function than DeBoo, however his ties to the governor return even additional after working for Newsom when the latter was mayor of San Francisco.
Critics of the governor say the appointments present one other instance of Newsom handing out items to those that are loyal to him.
Final week, The Put up documented a slew of appointments Newsom gave to rich donors who contributed cash to Newsom’s political motion committees, in addition to the California Companions Undertaking, a nonprofit that amplifies the general public picture of the governor’s spouse, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Those that obtained coveted appointments included Mark Arabo, CEO of Refined Administration, who gave a $25,000 contribution the day earlier than Newsom appointed him to the State Racetrack Leasing Fee; Andrew Tavakoli, chief government of Tavaco Properties, who gave $45,000 months earlier than being appointed to the Exposition Park and California Science Middle Board; and Greg Sarris, chief of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which has given $2.3 million in behested funds to Newsom since 2022.
Sarris was appointed to the College of California Board of Regents in 2023.
“That is simply extra of the identical insider video games from Gavin Newsom that places Californians final,” California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin instructed The Put up.
“These vital boards exist to guard our water, our communities, and our security, to not function comfortable rewards for his political allies that harm our communities and drive up our value of dwelling. The subsequent governor wants to finish this decadent system of patronage and put Californians, not their mates, first.”
