Newsom Recall

Recall Newsom?

Dedicated opponents of the governor say “Yes!” But are Californians actually ready to fire him?

WORDS by LUCA D’AGRUMA ART by CLAIRE TOLLES

On April 26, 1.6 million signatures supporters who are fighting the uphill wing extremists behind this recall effort on the Recall Gavin Newsom battle in convincing others to their and against making meaningful progress petition were verified by the cause. In 2018, California voters elected on the issues Democrats care about.” California Secretary of State. Gov. Newsom with almost 62% of the The last recall election in 2003 had

Within three months, the Secretary vote. 135 candidates listed on the ballot. of State will schedule a recall election Although there have been 55 at- The current recall election is expected to be held, deciding whether or not Gov. tempts to recall a California governor, to have a similar number of wannabe Newsom will keep his job. only one succeeded. governors running in the jungle election

In the election, voters will decide The non-partisan polling firm due to the low requirements to become whether or not Newsom should be Probolsky Research released a survey a candidate. recalled and who should replace him. that found that about 46% of voters A large swath of names often over-

If a majority of voters vote for the opposed the recall, while another 40% whelms voters, leading to a reliance recall, the state will replace to party affiliation and name Newsom with the highest-voted replacement. “Anyone registered as a recognition. In 2003, his advantages on Spurred by the lockdowns, restrictions, and school clos- Democrat can jump into those fronts (being a Republican in the age of backlash ings, a coalition of activists have worked to recall Gov. the race and claim the against Democrats and having a household name) proNewsom since June 2020. ‘Democratic’ brand.” pelled Arnold Schwarzeneg-

This wave of anti-restric- ger from Hollywood to the tion sentiment caused Dem- Governor’s mansion. ocrats who have supported COVID-19 supported it and roughly 20% of voters Ironically enough, a surprisingly restrictions and lockdowns to face were undecided or said they would not similar candidate has now jumped in massive opposition. vote. The poll concludes that the race is the race. Caitlyn Jenner, the famous

In California especially, the blow in a state of flux. Hollywood reality-TV star, announced backs are severe. Small business own- It’s possible that Newsom could be that she will be running as a Republiers, Republicans and parents whose recalled, but what would happen if he can in the recall election. children have been attending school was? In 2015, Jenner came out remotely this past year are up in arms Among Democrats, that is a com- as transgender and is a and demanding that the governor less- plicated and divisive question. The household name across en restrictions. governor and his allies oppose any California. Her elec-

In Santa Barbara County, the Recall Democrat from running as his replace- toral chances will Gavin Newsom campaign secured ment. Instead, they argue, Democrats grow significantly 16,487 valid signatures, and there are need to close ranks to oppose the recall depending on her over 600 members in its Facebook and protect Newsom. ability to string group. Some Democrats disagree, claiming together a win-

Electorally, the group has yet to make that the party must have a backup if the ning coalition. inroads within Newsom’s coalition, governor fails to defend his job. But she only partly due to accusations of racism and Spencer Brandt, the Organizing needs to win a extremist connections. Director of SB Dems, told the Fourth plurality of the

We reached out to the recall cam- Estate that “Because of our election vote: something paign for comment but did not receive system in California, anyone registered proven to be easier a response. as a Democrat can jump in the race and for a celebrity.

However, the campaign hasn’t failed, claim the ‘Democratic’ brand; but to do However, the sucinstead finding a dedicated base of that would be to side with the right- cess, or failure of recall

candidates will be inconsequential if the Democratic Party said that the recall’s Santa Barbara has been a democratic governor successfully defends himself goal is to “disrupt and distract from stronghold for many election cycles. from the recall. California’s progress on COVID-19 re- However, the pandemic has thrown the

Newsom won’t fall without a fight. covery, equitable mass vaccinations and reliability of anything into question. He understands his political future is school re-openings.” California has been a safe Democratic tied to the pandemic and his approval In Santa Barbara County, there will be state for decades, and the hyper-parratings skyrocketed in the beginning of a reckoning on pandemic policies and tisanship of the Trump era suggests the pandemic, but as cases that it is unlikely to see rose, his ratings fell. Now Newsom is betting big on California’s ambitious However, the success, or failure of recall candidates Democrats voting against a Democratic incumbent. Newsom’s approval ratings vaccination program to keep him on solid ground. will be inconsequential if the have been increasing, and as vaccination rates rise, the Some Democrats have criticized him for being too governor successfully defends possibility that California will defeat the pandemic politically aware and accused him of manipulating numbers himself from the recall. before the recall election occurs is distinctly likely. so that LA school districts However, the split nature could open prematurely, in order to politics, regardless of the success of of the election poses a challenge for appease angry parents. The governor the recall campaign. Democrats if Newsom is recalled. No denies their accusations and has stated Restrictions angered residents, and matter what, if the recall is successful, reopenings based on science. the recent wave of households moving it would flip Santa Barbara and Califor-

In any case, the governor is ready to away from LA’s lockdowns and school nian politics upside down. fight the recall, and Democrats stand closures threatens Democrats in power Even if it fails, however, it shows the with him. like Mayor Cathy Murillo, who is up for reaction of voters to the hardships of

In a statement, the Santa Barbara reelection in 2022. COVID-19, and whom they blame.