California Gov. Newsom has hired a top advisor of Vice President Kamala Harris to be his next chief of staff.
Nathan Barankin is joining Newsom’s team as the governor has two years left in office.
The big picture: Barankin is succeeding Dana Williamson as chief of staff. Williamson left the governor’s office last Friday after two years in the job.
- Barankin served as a senior advisor for Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign and was her chief of staff when she served in the U.S. Senate and when she was the California Attorney General. He also spent the last year as an advisor to Newsom.
- Before joining the governor’s office this year, Barankin was the President of consulting firm Oak Tree Strategies, Inc. from 2020 to 2024.
Flashback: Williamson had a public spat with Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D–Bakersfield) last year after Bains was the lone Democrat to vote against a new penalty on oil companies.
- The bill that Bains voted against created a new committee in the California Energy Commission to monitor the petroleum market and levy penalties on oil companies for price gouging.
- After the vote, Bains posted on X that she will always stand for the truth, even if she has to stand alone.
- Williams responded in X, saying, “Alone and confused you shall likely remain.”
What he’s saying: Barankin said he is deeply humbled to be appointed chief of staff.
- “As Chief of Staff, my focus will be on serving the people of California by advancing the Governor’s bold agenda to create jobs, ensure safe neighborhoods, and improve the health and well-being of every family in our state,” Barankin said.
