Larry Elder, the longtime California conservative talk radio host who took the plunge in 2021’s failed recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is now vying to oust President Joe Biden in 2024.
The talk radio host announced his candidacy Thursday.
State of play: Elder made the announcement on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and via a tweet, arguing that “America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That’s why I’m running for President.”
- Elder’s candidacy makes him a long-shot candidate among a Republican field that already includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
The Wayback Machine: Elder gained national attention in 2021 when he ran for California governor in a recall effort against Gavin Newsom, receiving the most votes out of 46 candidates, but the recall ultimately failed.
- Elder’s candidacy was controversial due to his various positions taken up on radio over a lengthy career. However, it aided in leading the GOP field, with stinging criticism of COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates along with takedowns of the “woke” agenda, Black Lives Matter, and the notion of systemic racism.
- Elder has also faced allegations of misconduct, including a former fiancée’s claim that he showed her a gun during an argument in 2015, which Elder has denied.
