Newsom Boosts His Book Sales by Buying 67,000 copies of His Own Memoir

Straight from the You Can’t make this #@!* up file, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s political action committee, “Campaign for Democracy,” bought up $1.5 million of his books using campaign donor money, to distribute to his donors, friends, and acolytes.  

Specifically, $1,561,875 in donor funds to purchase and distribute approximately 67,000 copies of Newsom’s memoir “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.”

Apparently Newsom’s book wasn’t the big hit the New York Times claimed it was. Newsom gave away copies of his book to supporters for donating any amount to his campaign – $5 will get you a book.

According to the New York Times:

“In November, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California rolled out an intriguing offer to his formidable email list of supporters: Donate anything to his political group, and he would send them a copy of his forthcoming book: Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.”

“It turned out about 67,000 supporters did just that. The books those donors received account for roughly two-thirds of the print copies of the memoir that have been sold.”

“On Wednesday, new federal records revealed that Mr. Newsom’s political action committee paid $1,561,875 to buy and distribute copies of his book through the donation program.”

This purchase accounted for roughly two-thirds of the book’s total print sales (around 97,400 copies overall), meaning only about 30,000 copies were sold through regular retail channels. In late 2025 and early 2026, Newsom promoted the book via emails, Facebook posts, and videos to his supporters.

He offered a “free” copy of the memoir (average cost ~$22.45 including shipping) to anyone who donated any amount—even $5—to his PAC, according to Gavin Newsom’s Facebook post.

Newsom framed it as a way to refill campaign coffers after spending on issues like Proposition 50, while also promoting the book as “very personal.”

Notably, Newsom’s PAC has  been supporting California’s Proposition 50, Newsom’s mid-decade redistricting scheme, and maintaining cash reserves (reportedly growing from ~$6.1 million to $7.7 million in one recent period), which some speculate could support future national ambitions, including a potential 2028 presidential run, the Washington Examiner reported.

According to the New York Post, About 67,000 donors took the offer. The PAC then bought the books in bulk and mailed them out. Federal filings released in April disclosed the $1.56 million expenditure. A Newsom spokesman noted that the PAC ultimately netted more money from the influx of small donations than it spent on the books and distribution. Context and criticisms.

The Post reported, “Earlier this year, Newsom’s team touted strong sales, claiming more than 91,000 copies had been purchased through ‘organic, in-person and online, non-bulk purchases,’ helping propel the book onto bestseller lists shortly after launch.”

“The fundraising push began in November, when Newsom emailed supporters urging them to donate after California voters approved Proposition 50, a redistricting measure he backed that could help Democrats gain up to five additional House seats.”