From The San Francisco Standard · · 1m 50s
Newsom appoints Ballard and Alioto-Pier to state posts
Gov. Newsom names Nate Ballard and Michela Alioto-Pier to state commissions days after their domestic violence support controversy.
In brief
Gov. Newsom names Nate Ballard and Michela Alioto-Pier to state commissions days after their domestic violence support controversy. Gov. Newsom appointed Nate Ballard and Michela Alioto-Pier to state commissions a day apart after Alioto-Pier backed Ballard during his domestic violence prosecution. Originally reported…
Newsom appoints Ballard to state commission
Gov. Newsom appointed Nate Ballard to the State Historical Resources Commission.
Alioto-Pier gets state post a day earlier
Michela Alioto-Pier was appointed to the California Citizens Compensation Commission a day before Ballard.
Ballard's domestic violence case
Ballard was prosecuted for drunkenly shoving his wife's head into a glass door and holding a pillow over his 4-year-old daughter.
Ballard's legal outcome
Ballard pleaded no contest to domestic violence and child endangerment in 2021 and received four years probation.
Alioto-Pier's party exit
Alioto-Pier quit the San Francisco Democratic Party's sexual assault committee in 2024 after supporting Ballard.
Ballard's denial of connection
Ballard said he didn't know Alioto-Pier was being considered for an appointment and neither recommended the other.
Newsom's defense
Newsom's spokesperson said both applied for positions and the governor weighed qualifications and experience.
SFWPC's criticism
The San Francisco Women's Political Committee said the appointments send a message that proximity to power outweighs accountability.
Newsom's appointment pattern
Newsom made 86 state appointments from Oct. 1 through Nov. 7, 2026, an increase from 70 in the same period last year.
Newsom's past ties
Alioto-Pier served on the Board of Supervisors when Newsom was mayor in 2004 and Ballard gave $4,000 to Newsom's 2018 campaign.
Other appointees
Newsom appointed Sam Nejabat and Garry South to commissions with ties to his campaigns and past roles.
Historical pattern
Previous governors like Arnold Schwarzenegger also appointed allies during their final weeks in office.
The headline
Gov. Newsom appointed Nate Ballard and Michela Alioto-Pier to state commissions a day apart after Alioto-Pier backed Ballard during his domestic violence prosecution.
