Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom to raise money for 2018 governor race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday he will begin raising money to run for California governor in 2018.

“I’m announcing that I’m creating a committee to run for California Governor in 2018. Because I truly and passionately believe in the future of this great state,” said Newsom on his Facebook page.

The former mayor of San Francisco has been a controversial national figure since 2004 when he ordered the city clerk in 2004 to ignore state law at the time and issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

He was re-elected to a second four-year term as lieutenant governor in November.