With a little less than two weeks until the deadline for California voters to cast ballots in the state governor’s recall election, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom is battling for his career.
The recall campaign was sparked by the legislature’s COVID limitations on companies, places of religion, and school closures. Resistance to the state’s heavy taxation, which began in June of 2020, was also a factor in the recall election.
California’s 22 million state voters received ballot papers at the beginning of last month. Now, votes must be submitted in person or stamped by September 14. On the recall vote, electors will be given two fundamental questions.
The first issue is whether or not the governor must be fired. The follow-up question provides a list of people running to succeed Newsom if only more than half of those polled support his removal.
If Newsom is dismissed, the person who gets the most votes on the next question would take over as governor of California. The top candidates among some of the 46 governor substitute nominees are listed below.
LARRY ELDER
The republican radio show presenter, who declared his campaign in the middle of July, became one of the last to enter the contest. However, the majority of recent public polls show Elder to be the front-runner among the alternative contenders.
If Elder is chosen as California’s first black governor, he will break new ground.
Voting has begun. If you’ve received your ballot in the mail, vote YES on Question 1 to #RecallGavinNewsom
Vote for me, Larry Elder, on Question 2, because #WeveGotAStateToSave!
Get info on voting: https://t.co/VRmCllMSHy pic.twitter.com/qRdFFz9v1O
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) August 24, 2021
For weeks, the California governor and his campaign staff have painted the recall campaign against him as a coup attempt by the extreme right, Trump fans, federal conservatives, and right-wing media.
So, it’s no shock that they’ve been hammering Elder over the last week. Newsom and his allies are mailing out news releases, financing emails, Facebook posts, and tacitly targeting Elder in advertisements.
They’re trying to highlight Elder’s opposition to subsistence wages, along with his dismissal of global warming and the country’s racial unfairness issues.
JOHN COX
In May, the San Diego entrepreneur and 2018 GOP governor hopeful hit the headlines when he embarked on a campaign tour and media frenzy. Three years ago, in the election to replace retiring four-term Democrat Governor Jerry Brown, the first-time challenger was defeated by Newsom by around 24 points.
Californians feel less and less safe. And they don’t believe @GavinNewsom is doing anything to address the problem. I will. Read my plan here: https://t.co/HYQxWCHjU8 pic.twitter.com/1YonZ44JN1
— John Cox (@BeastJohnCox) August 31, 2021
CAITLYN JENNER
When she began her effort in April, the 1976 Olympic champion decathlete turned transgender advocate and nationally renowned TV personality drew a huge amount of attention.
Jenner, on the other hand, looked to be protecting herself this summertime. She deflected claims that she wasn’t a real competitor by defending her July vacation to Australia – to participate in a reality TV show.
I had a great time speaking with such a diverse crowd yesterday. There is real enthusiasm for this recall. And the media attention wherever we go has been phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/buKzbbLxzl
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) August 29, 2021
Jenner kicked off a California tour last month, just weeks before voters received their ballots. Jenner, like Elder, has opted out of the governor debates, agreeing with her opponent and said she would only participate if Newsom participated.
