Former mayor of San Francisco. At 91 in 2025, he remains among the canniest of Democratic political operators. He ran for mayor roughly 30 years ago and mentored Gavin Newsom, whom he initially saw "more as a movie star" when Newsom volunteered on his campaign as a young wine merchant. Brown offered Newsom the only remaining position in his administration—a seat on the parking and traffic commission—and was impressed when Newsom accepted without complaint and got right to work. He also mentored Kamala Harris, whom he considers the weaker presidential candidate of the two; he has said she would make "a great chief justice of the Supreme Court". Brown predicts half a dozen serious candidates will vie for the 2028 Democratic nomination, with Newsom the only one running an "independent" and "unique" campaign.
Before becoming mayor, Brown served as speaker of the California state assembly. He doubts that congressional candidates have what it takes to run the state: "I am of the opinion that congressional people know nothing about running the state, and I'm right." In the 2018 governor's race, he says, the state's kingmakers chose Newsom over Antonio Villaraigosa. In the 2026 race, the state party no longer seems able, or willing, to make decisions in smoke-filled rooms.
Love your enemies: they'll go crazy trying to figure out what you're up to.