Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jennifer Siebel Newsom

16. Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Trying to assess the role of the First Partner can be challenging. Siebel Newsom is definitely not involved in the day-to-day operations of the governor’s office in the way Anne Gust Brown was for Gov. Jerry Brown, but neither is she just an ornament on her husband’s arm. She is an accomplished documentary filmmaker, and has championed any number of political and social issues and causes during her seven years in Sacramento, from gender pay equity to gender balance on corporate boards to social media addiction. She pretty much coined the term First Partner, and her influence can be felt and heard in much of her husband’s own language and terminology. Whatever his future holds, she will undoubtedly be a significant part of it from the jump. How that plays out as their time in the governor’s office winds down is TBD. But only a fool would think Gavin doesn’t value her input, particularly on issues she has shown matter to her.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025