Fong Issues Statement on Newsom’s Decision to Commute Death Sentences

Image November 5, 2026 Press Release BAKERSFIED, CA – Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) issued the following statement following Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to protect death row inmates by commuting 548 death sentences: “Gavin Newsom waited until two days after the election to overrule 548 death sentences. If he believed in this decision, he would have made it while voters could weigh in. Instead, he hid it until the ballots were cast. That is political cowardice. “In 2003, Vincent Brothers murdered five members of his own family in Bakersfield, including his three children, ages 4, 2, and six weeks. In 1994, Bob Williams broke into a Bakersfield woman’s home, raped her, and murdered her. In 2004, Marcus Wesson murdered nine members of his own family in Fresno. California juries sentenced them to death. Newsom overruled it. “I will keep standing with the families who never stopped fighting for justice, even when Newsom won’t.” ###