California Gov. Gavin Newsom once again faces another recall attempt.
This latest attempt from conservative activist group Rescue California comes three years after Newsom survived the 2021 recall.
The big picture: Rescue California organized 400 Californians to be official proponents of the recall.
- Proponents need to gather close to 1.4 million signatures – 12 percent of the total number of voters in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
- They have until May to gather enough signatures to place the recall on the November ballot. If not, the recall would have to take place at a later date.
- The recall attempt comes as California faces a $73 billion deficit, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The backstory: “California needs a full-time governor who is fully focused on the serious problems the state and its citizens are facing,” stated Anne Dunsmore of Rescue California. “This may be our last opportunity to rescue and restore our state, while we highlight for the rest of the country the destruction Newsom has left in his wake.”
- Newsom responded to the recall on X, calling recall proponents “Trump Republicans.”
- “Trump Republicans are launching another wasteful recall campaign to distract us from the existential fight for democracy and reproductive freedom,” Newsom said. “We will defeat them.”
A local connection: One of the official recall proponents is former Rep. George Radanovich, who is running for Assembly District 8.
- Radanovich announced Monday that he is one of the over 400 Californians who filed recall papers.
- “Watching the news reports this weekend about Gavin Newsom’s trip to Washington, D.C. made it all the more obvious that he has abandoned the state and his job in order to advance his national profile and presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 billion budget deficit, rising crime, failing schools, sky-high gas prices and a cost-of-living crisis that if forcing many Californians to leave the state in search of greener pastures,” Radanovich said.
