# 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.
- Title: Newsom appoints Ballard and Alioto-Pier to state posts
- Summary: Gov. Newsom names Nate Ballard and Michela Alioto-Pier to state commissions days after their domestic violence support controversy. Gov.
- Keywords: gavin newsom, nate ballard, michela alioto-pier, california citizens compensation commiss, state historical resources commission, domestic violence, child endangerment, probation, san francisco supervisor, political appointments, governor's appointments, domestic violence case
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/11/07/newsom-appoints-nate-ballard-michela-alioto-pier-state-commissions
- Published: 2026-11-08T01:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gavin newsom, nate ballard, michela alioto-pier, california citizens compensation commiss, state historical resources commission, domestic violence, child endangerment, probation, san francisco supervisor, political appointments, governor's appointments, domestic violence case
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.