Recall Newsom effort officially meets signature requirement, CA Secretary of State office says
SAN FRANCISCO -- It's official -- almost.
The effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom has submitted enough verified signatures to qualify for a recall election, according to an update from the California Secretary of State's office. The latest update says 1,626,042 signatures have been submitted and verified. To qualify, they needed 1.495 million signatures.
This major milestone means it is nearly all but inevitable a recall election will happen later this year, however it is not a done deal yet.
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Counties still have until April 29 to submit the rest of the verified signatures and that will then be followed by a 30-day period where people can withdraw their signatures. Former State Senator Don Perata has launched an effort -- called "Stop the Steal" -- to encourage people to remove their names from the petition. However, even Newsom's team believes it is unlikely the effort will ultimately be successful in blocking the recall.
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In response to the announcement on Monday, Governor Newsom tweeted: "This Republican recall threatens our values and seeks to undo the important progress we've made - from fighting COVID, to helping struggling families, protecting our environment, and passing commonsense gun violence solutions."
Republican candidates are already jumping into the race to challenge Newsom. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has announced his candidacy, as well as San Diego businessman and former gubernatorial candidate, John Cox.
Celebrity activist Caitlyn Jenner also announced she will run.
"Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision," she wrote in her announcement. "I can't wait to lead, to help and most importantly disrupt the status quo once again."
For some, Jenner's decision to get into the race brings back memories of the 2003 recall election of Governor Gray Davis -- the first and only time a governor was recalled in California. In that race, 135 candidates ran to replace Davis, including actor Gary Coleman, media mogul Arianna Huffington and, of course, celebrity bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Former adult film star Mary Carey also ran in 2003. She announced this month that she will be running again this time, too.)
Much like Davis' strategy in 2003, Newsom's team has framed the recall as an effort by the extreme right-wing to enact their conservative political agenda.
"This is a Republican effort...this is a Donald Trump effort," political consultant Ace Smith, who is working with Newsom, said at a recent Sacramento Press Club panel. "This is a debate about the direction this state should go in."
Anne Dunsmore, with Rescue California, fired back, arguing the recall is backed by people from both political parties upset about Newsom's record. "Gavin Newsom has to answer to the people of California," Dunsmore said. "Good luck if you want to go on and on about that, but you're talking to a universe of people, not all Trumpers."
The initial petition to recall Newsom began on June 10th of last year by former Yolo County Sheriff sergeant Orrin Heatlie. The group was granted a 120-day extension to gather signatures due to the pandemic, and thus had until March 17 to submit the required signatures.
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Heatlie said the effort gained steam after Newsom's dinner at The French Laundry, followed by another lockdown in California and frustration over the slow reopening of schools and vaccinations.
But with an election still months away, Democrats are hoping time will be on Newsom's side. He has recently worked to reopen schools and ramp up vaccine distribution. He also announced the state will reopen on June 15.
So, when will there be an election?
After the signature withdrawal period, there is then another 30-day period where the legislature will review a cost estimate. After that, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis will set the date for some time within the next 60 to 80 days -- meaning Californians most likely will be going to the polls late summer or fall.
