Newsom quotes 'great California poet Kendrick Lamar' in victory speech

Gavin Newsom takes the stage and speaks to his supporters during his election night party at Verso, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in San Francisco. Click through the gallery for a Newsom primer. Gavin Newsom takes the stage and speaks to his supporters during his election night party at Verso, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in San Francisco. Click through the gallery for a Newsom primer. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Newsom quotes 'great California poet Kendrick Lamar' in victory speech 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom launched his campaign for governor more than a year before other candidates jumped in and had an early lead, so no one was too surprised when he held onto it during the primary Tuesday.

But his victory speech in San Francisco did include some surprises, including a Kendrick Lamar quote.

ALSO: Newsom defines his top issues for California

Many a politician has asked the question, "How do I reach the kids?" and many a politician has landed on the answer: with the rap music. On Tuesday, Newsom joined their ranks.

"You know, that great California poet by the name of Kendrick Lamar ... he once said, 'Be humble,'" Newsom said, quoting the Compton rapper's hit "Humble."

Alas, he did not heed the next line and sit down.

In his own victory speech in San Diego, Republican challenger John Cox accused Newsom of protecting MS-13, enabling California's housing crisis and making a mess of the "once-Golden State."

But Newsom had an optimistic message for Californians, this time from Sinatra: "The best is yet to come." Then he walked off stage to Tupac's "California Love."

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter