California Governor Gavin Newsom might be stepping into a sensitive situation by visiting the Los Angeles area on the anniversary of the Southern California fires that claimed at least 31 lives and caused significant destruction to around 18,000 homes.
His visit is set for January 7, marking a year since those catastrophic fires, and residents of the impacted Pacific Palisades community will likely have strong opinions, especially since many see this as a potential boost for his expected presidential campaign.
“He talks a lot. He wants to be president, but he needs to show he’s capable of handling these issues. It’s not enough just to talk; action is needed,” commented Ross Garber, a Palisades resident and investor whose home was nearly lost to a fire in January 2025.
On the same day as Newsom’s visit, the Palisades Fire and Residents Coalition plans a protest, demanding accountability from local and state officials, including Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom, for what they describe as a “complete breakdown in leadership” that led to the disaster.
The coalition is expected to feature local homeowners and politicians as speakers. Newsom’s office has yet to share specific details about his plans for the day, other than his intention to meet with survivors working to rebuild.
“From the start of the disaster, Governor Newsom took significant steps to eliminate obstacles to recovery and ensure that families are not hindered by bureaucracy,” stated Izzy Gurdon, the governor’s press secretary.
Nonetheless, fire-related issues could remain a challenge for Newsom, particularly as he considers a presidential run.
Images of the devastation and lingering questions about Newsom’s response continue to circulate. Jason McDaniel, a political science professor at San Francisco State University, noted that this disaster, alongside ongoing issues like a declining housing market and rising insurance costs, might jeopardize Newsom’s presidential aspirations.
“This could pose a serious risk for Gavin Newsom’s campaign,” McDaniel remarked, adding, “It’s not like Rudy Giuliani’s response after 9/11. The political narrative is complicated and could easily be manipulated.”
He further emphasized that emphasizing the anniversary of the fires or engaging in political gestures won’t be well-received by the public.
Residents like Garber are in agreement. “If he wants to win people over, he should clearly express what steps he’s taking to prevent future fires,” Garber stated.
