As California Leads the Nation in COVID Recovery Efforts, Governor Gavin Newsom and Leading Democrats Vow to Fight
A petition to recall California State Governor Gavin Newsom has collected enough signatures to become an effective ballot. Confirmed by State election officials on Monday, April 26; a ballot seen in this light would be the second of its kind in California history.
According to a segment noted on Associated Press, retired county sheriff sergeant Orrin Heatlie spearheaded the recall efforts last year, they captured him saying, “The people of California have done what the politicians thought would be impossible,” the statement continued, “Our work is just beginning. Now the real campaign is about to commence.”
The collection of signatures started as early as June 2020 and by fall the numbers grew as the frustration rose in the hardships of living through a global pandemic.
According to the California secretary of state’s office, there were over 1.5 million valid signatures as of Monday; there is a possibility for people to withdraw their consent within 30 days. Signatures from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego make up roughly half of the total.
The recall for Newsom has been considered one of the “highest-profile political races in the country this year.” Newsom’s response was made clear to the backlash in a fundraising appeal, it read “I am not going to take this fight lying down,” according to Associated Press.
The Los Angeles County Democratic Party responded with conviction, stating, “Los Angeles Democrats say: Bring. It. On.”
LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez said in a statement. “Republicans are forcing a recall on a governor whose approval ratings are over 50%, and who has proven he can get things done, because they know they can’t win in 2022.”Gonzalez went on to state that the special election is a waste of the tax payer’s dime, surpassing the projecting state budget.
The recall unearths different angles to consider; the world has never seen or felt a health crisis to this extent; with an uprooted reality, everyone including politicians are unnerved with learning how to navigate the new world. With that said, those opposing Newsom, are holding him accountable for his ability to manage a state of emergency lasting over a year. If Newsom overcomes this recall, his term for reelection will become available in 2022.
Candidates that would be available to replace Newsom include former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner and Kevin Faulconer who was the former mayor of San Diego. In response to the signatures collected, Faulconer was quoted, saying, “Californians from all walks of life are seizing this historic opportunity to demand change,” He continued, “As the only candidate who’s won tough elections and enacted real reform, I am ready to lead this movement.”
Reports captured Falconer stating, “As the only candidate who’s won tough elections and enacted real reform, I am ready to lead this movement,” according to City News Service.
Caitlyn Jenner stated Friday, “For the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people.”She continued, “As Californians, we face a now-or-never opportunity to fundamentally fix our state before it’s too late.”
There are assumptions that majority of this effort is stemming from pro-Trump republicans, reports state, City News service reported Newsom’s team issued a fundraising email on Friday; stating that Jenner “is working closely with Donald Trump’s former presidential campaign manager.”
Recounting Newsom’s election in 2018, he had over overwhelming numbers of votes and support, however, the pandemic created a different expectation for politicians, the standard of social responsibility has elevated in the eyes of the people.
Newsom’s response to the pandemic thus far has been the fuel to the recall fire, both of his political and personal actions has been under heavy scrutiny. Heatlie led the charge for his recall as early as 2020, but due for different reasons. The former mayor did not agree with Newsom’s stand on immigration and other liberal legislations.
However, it has been reported that Newsom was not surprised by the recall, expecting it from the early stages of the pandemic. He did point out the special election would be a waste of time and money, seeing how the 2022 gubernatorial primary will be held in June.
City News Service Reports reflect 1,626,042 signatures were validated, this exceeds the standard threshold of 1,495,709 participants that would need to sign, based on 12 percent of the 12,464,235 votes cast in 2018 gubernatorial election
Within the next 30 days, the process will allow a window to withdraw consent from the petition, the deadline for those types of adjustments is June 8. Also, within that time period, there will be “follow-up” reviews which will include the calculation of cost for an election in October.
The Senior advisor of RecallGavin2020, Randy Economy, has called this event “a grassroots historical movement,” and supporting groups continue to emphasize Gavin’s actions during an unforeseen global pandemic, stating that his quarantine was too constricting.
According to the RecallGavin2020 administration, Gavin has “failed at his job,” using preexisting conditions prior to the pandemic to support their claim.
Getting a different perspective of Newsom, political advisor Dan Newman released a statement, lending a different angle to see the California State Governor, he said, “Newsom’s competent, compassionate, experienced leadership during an unprecedented series of crises.”
This act of retraction for this position has been taken place once before; with the recall of former California State Governor Gray Davis in 2003. Tt resulted in votes placing Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger into the State Governor position.
Almost two decades later, in the middle of the most vulnerable time the world has ever seen, Governor Newsom has been flagged for a recall of his position. Although the opinions of why he is being considered unsuited varies, but the volume of people who have given consent to this matter is undeniable.
By June 2021, there will be a new set of standards installed in the preexisting candidacy of policy makers, or placed on the heads of the new leaders. The people are expecting more from those serving in civic duty.
