Gavin Newsom has mostly been popular during his two terms as California governor. A field of Democrats vying to replace him ...

California’s governor has been touted as the Democrats’ best shot in 2028. But first he’ll need to convince voters that he’s not just a slick establishment politician.

His introspective memoir tries to challenge the conventional wisdom about his upbringing, explores his marriages and airs a little dirty laundry — but says relatively little about politics.

Newsom has made California smaller, poorer and less politically powerful. His many failings should be taken seriously; his ...