Gavin Newsom rewards insiders with paid California board appointments

Gov.Gavin Newsom is giving one of his most trusted political soldiers a cushy, taxpayer-funded appointment as he nears the end of his tenure leading California, reviving accusations “cronyism” may be one of the lasting legacies of this governorship.Newsom has tapped his political strategist and former chief of staff, Jim DeBoo, for a seat on the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, a job paying nearly $60,000 for monthly board meetings. DeBoo, who founded DeBoo Strategic Affairs in 2023, appears to have little obvious experience for the role, and his status for the job is pending confirmation by the state Senate.

The pick drew fire from state Republicans, who called it another example of Newsom — who is the subject of a federal investigation — taking care of political allies as he looks beyond California and toward a potential 2028 White House bid.“Governor Newsom is months away from leaving office, yet he still wants his friends in key government positions, including in roles where subject-matter expertise is in question,” said state Sen.Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach. “This is cronyism at its best.” The governor’s office and DeBoo did not respond to requests for comment.DeBoo was brought into the governor’s office in 2020 as executive secretary, effectively making him Newsom’s chief of staff as the state was still under COVID restrictions and a recall campaign was gaining momentum.

He and his firm have hauled in more than $2.4 million in campaign money since 2020, according to The Post’s review of records on the Secretary of State’s website.This work included numerous ballot measures by the state Democratic Party and the governor, including the 2021 recall. After leaving government, DeBoo became one of Sacramento’s best-known Democratic consultants.

His firm has touted his work shaping Newsom’s agenda, managing the administration through major crises and serving as chair of the governor’s inaugural committee.He has hel...