In a bold and unapologetic declaration that has sparked both admiration and backlash, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has called on the rest of the United States to follow California’s lead when it comes to progressive governance, gender equity, education reform, and climate policy.
Speaking at a policy summit in Sacramento on Wednesday, Siebel Newsom—filmmaker, advocate, and wife of Governor Gavin Newsom—said the time has come for the entire nation to adopt California’s model as a blueprint for a more “just, inclusive, and forward-looking America.”
“It’s time for America to follow California’s lead,” Siebel Newsom proclaimed to a packed audience of educators, policymakers, and activists. “For too long, we’ve allowed fear, division, and corporate greed to dominate the national agenda. But here in California, we’re proving that values-driven leadership not only uplifts people but strengthens democracy and economic resilience.”
Her remarks came amid a growing national debate over states’ rights, cultural divides, and the ideological chasm between progressive states like California and more conservative strongholds in the South and Midwest.
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon and the political future of her husband potentially reaching the national stage, Siebel Newsom’s comments were widely interpreted as more than just state-level pride—they were a clarion call for national transformation inspired by California’s policy approach.
Siebel Newsom outlined what she described as California’s achievements under Governor Newsom’s leadership, from climate action and reproductive rights to gun safety laws and public education investment.
“We didn’t just talk about climate change—we banned the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. We didn’t just talk about access to education—we’re investing in universal transitional kindergarten. We didn’t just react to Roe v. Wade being overturned—we made California a sanctuary for women’s reproductive freedom,” she said.
Indeed, California has positioned itself as a counterweight to red-state policies across a range of hot-button issues. Governor Newsom’s administration has frequently clashed with states like Texas and Florida, challenging them on immigration crackdowns, book bans, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and abortion restrictions.
In many ways, Siebel Newsom’s statement crystallizes a broader political branding campaign that has emerged from Sacramento: that California is not just a state, but a prototype for national governance under progressive ideals.
“We have to stop thinking small,” she continued. “This moment demands vision. We cannot allow regressive forces to shape the future of this country.
Whether it’s banning books or attacking teachers, stripping away bodily autonomy or undermining the right to vote—these are not American values. They’re fear tactics. California is showing a different path.”
Siebel Newsom’s call for national emulation comes as her husband continues to walk the fine line between being a national figure and remaining a state governor.
Gavin Newsom, a two-term Democratic governor, has long been rumored to harbor presidential ambitions. Though he declined to challenge former President Biden in the 2024 election, his frequent national television appearances, fiery confrontations with red-state governors, and high-profile ads in states like Florida and Texas suggest that his political platform is steadily growing.
But Siebel Newsom has carved a path of her own, often referred to as the “conscience of the administration.” Her work as an advocate for women’s rights, youth mental health, and gender equality has shaped public discourse both in California and nationally.
Through her nonprofit work and award-winning documentaries such as Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In, she has championed the need to dismantle toxic gender norms, elevate underrepresented voices, and restructure education systems for emotional wellness and social justice.
At Wednesday’s summit, she pointed to mental health crises among teens, misinformation on social media, and systemic inequality as national threats that California is addressing head-on through investment and innovation.
“California doesn’t wait for permission to lead,” she said. “We pilot what works, and we fix what doesn’t. We embrace complexity instead of denying it. And we prioritize people over profit.”
Unsurprisingly, her remarks were met with sharply polarized reactions.
Progressive commentators applauded the speech, calling it visionary and bold. “Jennifer Siebel Newsom is articulating what many on the left have wanted to hear—a national call to adopt policies that center humanity, science, and inclusion,” tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “California has problems, yes, but it’s also experimenting with bold solutions that other states are too scared to even try.”
But critics, particularly conservative voices, pounced on the comments as out-of-touch elitism wrapped in ideological arrogance. “California is not a model—it’s a cautionary tale,” wrote Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in response on X.
“Skyrocketing homelessness, unaffordable housing, sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants, and the highest taxes in the country. No thanks.”
Fox News anchors lambasted Siebel Newsom’s speech during primetime coverage, accusing her and her husband of trying to “export California’s failures.” One segment featured a montage of urban decay, crime scenes, and encampments in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. “This is the America they want?” host Jesse Watters asked viewers. “Is this leadership or delusion?”
Despite the criticism, Siebel Newsom remained undeterred. She closed her remarks with a direct challenge to her detractors: “If you think we’re failing, I invite you to take a closer look.
Not at the fear-mongering headlines, but at the real families whose lives are being improved—students who can go to college without debt, mothers who don’t have to choose between a paycheck and their child’s health, communities investing in solar, teachers paid a living wage. That’s the California we’re building. That’s the America we should believe in.”
Whether or not the First Partner’s speech signals broader political intentions remains an open question. Some speculate that the Newsoms may be positioning themselves as the next Democratic power couple on the national stage.
Others say it was a natural continuation of their longstanding public service agenda. Either way, Siebel Newsom’s remarks elevated what has long been implied: California sees itself not merely as a state but as a template for the future of American governance.
Political strategist Lis Smith, who worked on Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, suggested that Siebel Newsom’s speech was more than symbolic. “This was a soft launch of a national message,” Smith said.
“The country is bitterly divided. People are looking for models. And California—with all its strengths and flaws—is positioning itself as a kind of ideological compass for the Democratic Party.”
For now, both Siebel and Governor Newsom insist they remain focused on California. But the messaging is unmistakable: what happens in California, they believe, shouldn’t stay in California.
As Siebel Newsom put it: “The future doesn’t belong to those clinging to the past. It belongs to those who have the courage to lead. And California is ready to lead—not just for ourselves, but for the country we love.”
