California Gov. Gavin Newsom retreats from public appearances; office cites unspecified family obligations

Where is Gavin Newsom? The Democratic California governor's retreat from public appearances for roughly the past 11 days is raising speculation about what exactly is the reason.

Newsom's office said Oct. 29 in an emailed news release that the governor is tending to unspecified family obligations, according to the Associated Press.

Last week, following the announcement of the approval of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5-11, California implemented what state leaders are calling a "robust vaccination program." Some were expecting Newsom to appear publicly before TV cameras to make the announcement; he did not.

Newsom's most recent appearance was on Oct. 27, when he received a coronavirus booster shot. His office said he had planned to participate virtually in the U.N. climate conference last week. But according to the California delegation's schedule that was released by the office of the governor, he did not. A spokesperson for Newsom says he will appear virtually at the U.N. conference this week.

The governor's social media accounts have also been uncharacteristically quiet for a few days.

It is rare but not completely out of the ordinary for Newsom to go more than a week without making a public appearance. It is a slow legislative time in Sacramento with the state legislature out of session until January. The recent rain in California has also kept the state from burning, as it has at this time of year in the recent past.