Gov. Newsom Chairs Dem Governors Assoc. Policy Committee Following $1.5M Pfizer PAC Donation

As the ringleader of California’s illogical COVID-19 vaccine, mask and testing mandates, Governor Newsom has some explaining to do. Between 2019-2022 the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) received over $1.5M in donations from Pfizer’s Political Action Committee. The infamous California Governor Newsom now serves as the Policy Chair for the DGA alongside former Democratic National Committee Finance Chairman Phil Murphy, the current Governor of New Jersey and DGA Chair. Did monetary contributions from Big Pharma possibly influence California’s decision making surrounding the pandemic?

Executive Vice President Sally Susman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer,  Co-Chair, Pfizer PAC & Rady Johnson, Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance, Quality & Risk Officer, Co-Chair, Pfizer PAC, shared the following excerpts with stakeholders:

“As Pfizer’s Chief Compliance & Corporate Affairs Officers, we can tell you unequivocally that our decision to contribute to any elected official is made based on ethical, responsible, and just policies that support innovation incentives and patients’ access to breakthrough medicines and vaccines. Our PAC support does not imply an endorsement of a candidate’s position on any social or religious issue.”

“We consider our support of the PAC a vote for Pfizer; we make this vote with the same pride that we do when we show up at the voting booth and vote for candidates who we believe are best for our profession and our families. No breakthrough can get to patients without a favorable regulatory and legislative framework. The Pfizer PAC helps ensure that framework is strong.”

“We hope you will take some time to review the report to see which candidates the PAC supported in your state and community. Our priority in 2021 is to help build a constructive discourse in the political and regulatory environment while supporting policies – and policymakers – who share these same ideals.”

As of February 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom joined the DGA Leadership as Policy Chair. The press release announced the following:

‘Today, DGA Chair Phil Murphy officially welcomed California Gov. Gavin Newsom to DGA leadership. Gov. Newsom will serve as the DGA’s Policy Chair, helping to promote and further the priorities Democratic governors are championing, including protecting fundamental freedoms.

“Governor Newsom has delivered real solutions for some of the biggest challenges of our time and I’m thrilled that he’s joining the DGA leadership team in his new role as Policy Chair,” said DGA Chair Gov. Phil Murphy.  “At a time when Democratic governors are playing a critical role in driving policy impacting the lives of Americans, he will be a tremendous asset in guiding the DGA as we continue to build momentum with key stakeholders, advocacy groups and donors.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom stated:

“Governors are on the frontlines of the fight for our democracy. The Democratic Governors Association has been central to electing strong leaders who are safeguarding American freedoms and delivering real results on major challenges like climate change, gun safety, and creating more economic opportunity. Those are the issues that Americans care about and why it’s more important than ever we elect more Democratic governors across our country. I look forward to working even more closely with the DGA in this new role.’

A 2021 article from The New York Times reported the DGA was a key funding partner to stop the recall of Governor Newsom:

“Mr. Newsom’s campaign said it expected to pass 600,000 donations by the election after running a robust online donation program. Still, much of the money came from giant contributions, with $48.2 million in his main anti-recall account from donations of $100,000 or more.

In late August, at a donor retreat in Aspen, Colo., for contributors to the Democratic Governors Association, attendees said there was some grumbling and irritation at the need to divert any resources to a state as blue as California — especially given how many tough governors’ races are set to unfold in 2022.

The governors association has sent $5.5 million to the Newsom operation opposing the recall so far.

“It doesn’t bode well for Democrats in 2022 if they have to burn millions of dollars on a recall in the most liberal state in America,” said Jesse Hunt, the communications director for the Republican Governors Association.”

Based on donation and lobbying records, it appears that Governor Newsom receives significant monetary contributions from corporate backed donors, as well as Democratic organizations at the state and federal level. As long-time Californians continue to exit the state as a mass exodus, Newsom’s puppet masters are revealing themselves.

“The whole idea that the Constitution of the United States would be used to advance a political agenda is absurd.” – Gavin Newsom