A national oil industry group ridiculed Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his chauffeured lifestyle after he urged Californians to skip Chevron stations during the busy Memorial Day travel period.
The US Oil & Gas Association, a group that has championed oil and gas producers since 1917, took aim at Newsom on X. “Pro tip: Don’t take Pro tips from a Politician who hasn’t driven himself anywhere since 2004,” the group wrote in a post that drew more than 100,000 views. The dig pointed to the state-funded drivers who shuttle the governor in an all-electric Rivian, the New York Post (NYP) reported. (RELATED: California Drivers Hit With Over 50-Cent Gas Spike In A Week)
Association president Tim Stewart sharpened the attack in remarks to The California Post. “It’s interesting how the politicians who are picked up every morning by a black SUV are experts on gas prices but always fail to recognize the impact their bad decisions actually have on gas prices,” he said.
Pro tip:
Don’t take Pro tips from a Politician who hasn’t driven himself anywhere since 2004. https://t.co/3m6Rk7I40u
— US Oil & Gas Association (@US_OGA) May 22, 2026
The clash started when Newsom’s office told drivers that branded fuel holds no real edge over cheaper unbranded gas, the Associated Press (AP) reported. “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name,” the office posted on X. Officials cited a state analysis putting Chevron 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded rivals, with California averaging $6.14 a gallon and carrying the country’s highest gas tax at roughly 70 cents, the AP reported.
The governor’s office brushed off the oil group’s taunt in its own statement to the NYP. “You want us to comment on a tweet from an account that apparently has been stalking Gavin Newsom since 2004?” it said.
Chevron has steadily retreated from the state, moving its headquarters from San Ramon to Houston in 2024 and ending a 145-year California run, CBS News San Francisco reported. Spokesman Ross Allen pushed back. “Chevron works hard to educate Californians about the negative consequences of Sacramento’s energy and tax policies,” he said.
The feud feeds the race to replace the term-limited Newsom, PBS NewsHour reported. Republican Steve Hilton, who carries President Donald Trump’s endorsement, has pledged $3 gas, though Democratic rival Matt Mahan told him in a debate, “You’re lying to people.”