Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration has been actively working behind the scenes to build support for California Forever, a controversial megaproject backed by Silicon Valley billionaires, as it faces challenges to its development. Newly obtained records reveal that Newsom met privately with California Forever CEO Jen Sramek for 35 minutes on April 1. The governor's chief of staff, Nathan Barankin, also met with Solano County officials to discuss the project.
The administration has described the proposed Solano Shipyard and Solano Foundry projects as having significant potential to attract billions in investment and has suggested the initiative could be a matter of "national security." This stance is aimed at influencing state legislators who are being urged to pass special legislation to expedite the project when they return to session.
California Forever proposes to build a new city with 170,000 homes over 40 years, designed as a walkable urban environment. This renewed push comes after Saronic, a defense startup, chose Texas over Solano County for a planned shipyard, a loss that supporters attribute to the failure of state legislators to pass expedited approval legislation.
Newsom has frequently articulated a vision for pursuing ambitious goals throughout his political career. The California Forever project, if realized, could represent a significant legacy achievement for the governor, particularly as he aims to address the state's housing shortage. California is currently short of its housing construction goals, and this proposal could add tens of thousands of new homes.
The project is financed by prominent Silicon Valley figures, including Reid Hoffman, Laurene Powell Jobs, Michael Moritz, and Patrick Collison, all of whom are significant Democratic donors. The involvement of these benefactors could also bolster Newsom's standing within influential tech circles as attention turns toward potential future presidential aspirations.
California Forever has retained Axiom Advisors, a lobbying firm founded by Jason Kinney, a longtime political ally of Newsom. Disclosures show the firm has been paid at least $335,000 since April 2025.
Former Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg are advising the California Forever effort. They argue the proposal aligns with Newsom's priorities of job creation and addressing the housing crisis, asserting that California must demonstrate its competitiveness for major industrial projects. They emphasize a revised vision that directly links housing to job creation, with employers guiding residential development and prioritizing local housing construction.
Dee Dee Myers, Newsom's top business and economic development adviser, stated in a memo that the Solano County projects represent a "once-in-a-generation chance" for California to capitalize on federal manufacturing investments and revitalize the region. She described the initiatives as "projects of statewide significance and the kind of transformational opportunity California should fight for and win."
However, the proposal faces opposition. Political consultant Matt Rexroad questioned the motivations of former elected officials advocating for the project, suggesting hypocrisy. State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon has also rejected the company's claims that state bureaucracy hindered their efforts, accusing California Forever of prioritizing its development proposal over securing the Saronic shipyard opportunity for Solano County. Rexroad also expressed doubt about Newsom's ability to secure the passage of special legislation in his final months in office, suggesting local opposition could derail the project.