The effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom in California has gotten enough signatures and his recall will be on the ballot this fall:
AP – Organizers of the recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom collected enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The California secretary of state’s office announced Monday that more than 1.6 million signatures had been verified, about 100,000 more than needed to force a vote on the first-term Democrat.
People who signed petitions now have 30 days to withdraw their signatures, though it’s unlikely enough will do so to stop the question from going to voters.
An election is likely in the fall where voters would face two questions: Should Newsom be recalled and who should replace him? The votes on the second question will only be counted if more than half say yes to the first.
If Newsom survives the recall he will be up for reelection in 2022.
Among the most prominent Republicans running to replace Newsom are former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner, who has never run for elected office. Businessman John Cox, who lost badly to Newsom in 2018, and former Congressman Doug Ose, also are running.
In 2003, voters recalled Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and replaced him with Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s the only other recall of a California governor to qualify for the ballot.
Newsom won election in 2018 with support from more than 60% of voters. Recalling him will be a tough sell in the heavily Democratic state where just a quarter of the state’s registered voters are Republicans, about the same number as those who identify as “no party preference.”
It may be difficult, but the fact that this is an off year election-wise could bode well for people who are truly animated to kick Newsom out of office. Newsom has to get enough people out to the polls to save his socialist butt, otherwise he could be toast. That’s certainly what I’m pulling for.
I’m interested though, as to some of my native Californian commenters, who would you choose to replace him? And please don’t say Bruce Jenner. That guy is completely off his rocker…