Newsom Thanks Poll Workers in Oakland, Applauds Warriors and NBA for Use of Facilities

Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked poll workers and played basketball Tuesday at the Golden State Warriors’ downtown Oakland facility, which is also a polling place this year.

The governor lost a shooting game to Golden State guard Damion Lee and worked on a passing drill at the team’s former practice facility — now used for youth camps.

Gov. Gavin Newsom was humbled by Warriors guard Damion Lee in several basketball drills today. pic.twitter.com/vwBkOpXRp7

— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) November 4, 2020

Newsom applauded the NBA for opening facilities for voting and ballot drop-offs, as well as the stand taken on social issues by some of the game’s biggest stars.

Everyone’s got their own “spin” on Election Day.

The Warriors opened one of their facilities today as a vote center!

Let’s do this CA. pic.twitter.com/WMkCKn7r2K

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 3, 2020

“I think sports has often been on the leading cutting edge of change,” Newsom said. “It’s been a force for good historically, and some of the most extraordinary icons in the social justice movement happen to be athletes.”

— Associated Press

Copyright 2020 KQED