$200,000 Salary for Newsom's Photographer Draws Criticism Amid State Budget Deficit

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office is facing scrutiny over the hiring of a dedicated photographer, Charles Ommanney, at an annual salary of $200,000. The appointment has ignited debate regarding the use of taxpayer funds, particularly in light of California's reported $73 billion budget deficit. The controversy intensified following a tweet from Kevin Dalton, who stated: > “Show us a tough big boy” - Gavin Newsom’s $200,000 taxpayer funded photographer, jingling his keys in front of President Trump’s border wall Gavin supposedly hated oh so much.” This allegation suggests a provocative act at a site Newsom has historically opposed.

Ommanney, a renowned former war photojournalist, has a distinguished career, having previously worked with prominent figures including former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg. Newsom's office defends the position, stating that Ommanney "plays an instrumental role in communicating the work of state government across visual platforms — including social media," helping the administration "meet Californians where they are at." They also noted that Governor Newsom had not had a dedicated photographer for five years prior to this hire.

Critics, however, question the necessity of such an expenditure. Republican political strategist Doug Elmets argued that the photographer should be hired as a contractor for Newsom's political campaign rather than funded by taxpayers, especially when the state faces significant financial challenges. The $200,000 salary for the Director of Photography is notably close to Governor Newsom's own annual salary, which stands at approximately $234,000.

The tweet's specific claim about the photographer's actions at the border wall, while unverified by broader reports, taps into existing political tensions. Governor Newsom has been a vocal critic of former President Trump's border wall initiatives, often characterizing them as ineffective and a "manufactured crisis." This alleged incident, as highlighted by Dalton's tweet, fuels the narrative of political showmanship at public expense, further drawing attention to the governor's public image strategy amidst his perceived national political ambitions.

The ongoing discussion underscores the delicate balance between effective public communication by state officials and prudent use of taxpayer money, particularly in a state grappling with substantial financial shortfalls.