KRON 4’s Vicki Liviakis talks with current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom after he announced that he will run for California Governor in 2018.

Newsom made the announcement via his Facebook page with the following message.

I’ve never been a fan of pretense or procrastination.

After all, our state is defined by its independent, outspoken spirit. When Californians see something we truly believe in, we say so and act accordingly �?without evasiveness or equivocation.

So today 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.

Today, Californians are blessed with the remarkable leadership of Governor Jerry Brown, who in the face of long odds has led our state to firm fiscal footing and brought us to the enviable position of dreaming �?and achieving �?big dreams again.

Even so, long-term challenges remain daunting �?we must continue to grow our economy and create private-sector jobs, we must invest in public education and keep college affordable, we must address the widening inequalities that separate our communities and we must maintain California’s historic leadership in meeting the climate challenge.

Over the next four years, my advocacy and efforts on these issues as your Lieutenant Governor will continue unabated. And I will actively support Governor Brown and our Legislature in every way I can.

But the reality of running for Governor �?even four years from now �?in America’s largest, most diverse state demands that I start raising resources now if we’re going to lead a conversation worthy of the 38 million people who live, work, attend school and raise families in the Golden State.

Creating this committee gives people a way to support our efforts �?and I hope you can help spread the word.

I make this promise �?this won’t be an ordinary campaign �?but, then again, California has always been an extraordinary place.

As ever, thank you for your friendship,

Gavin Newsom

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

Newsom has long wanted to be governor, and his announcement last month that he would not pursue a U.S. Senate seat created anticipation he would seek the state’s top post.

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

Newsom says that although California has reigned in its finances, the state has long-term challenges to create private-sector jobs and keep college affordable.