Newsom meets with campaign volunteers in Burbank as pro-recall activists rally in Santa Clarita
BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- With California's gubernatorial recall election about a month away, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday met with volunteers in Burbank as his campaign continued its weekend swing through Southern California.
Sunday's event was held at International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 headquarters, where the governor said he views every day between now and Sept. 14 as Election Day.
"We recognize what's at stake in this election," Newsom said. "I hope people do take time to learn about the alternative candidates, and where they are on positions that we as Californians hold dear, in terms of the environment, health care and education."
Meanwhile, supporters of the "Yes on Recall" effort rallied in Santa Clarita, one of several such events held in Southern California over the weekend.
"Gavin Newsom didn't care when you lost your job," said Carl DeMaio, founder and chairman of Reform California. "He didn't care when your child couldn't go to school. He didn't care when you had challenges in your life. But now he's showing up to ask for your help because his job's on the line? No."
On Saturday, the governor made a campaign stop was at Service Employees International Union headquarters in Commerce, where he delivered remarks to volunteers who are helping him in his effort to rally voters against the recall.
"This is the most consequential election you're going to have an opportunity to vote on," Newsom said during an impassioned speech. "I know it felt like that last year, as it relates to Trump, but we didn't defeat Trumpism -- it's still alive and well in the state of California. It's on the ballot Sept. 14."
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Newsom is facing a recall election Sept. 14, after some Californians criticized his handling of the state's homelessness problem, devastating wildfires and COVID-19 crisis. There are two questions on the ballot, asking whether Newsom should be removed from office, and if so, replaced by whom.
There are 46 candidates running against Newsom, including a number of GOP candidates: Elder, businessman John Cox, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, former Rep. Doug Ose and Caitlyn Jenner.
On Thursday, Newsom received an expression of support from President Joe Biden, who issued a statement urging Californians to oppose the Sept. 14 recall. Newsom "knows how to get the job done because he's been doing it," Biden said of his fellow Democrat. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the former California senator, are expected to take active roles in the campaign.
Newsom said schedules are still being worked out, but voters should expect both President Biden and Vice President Harris to campaign in California in a "matter of weeks."
Jenner is planning to visit the Coachella Valley this week. The Republican candidate is scheduled to stop at the East Valley Republican Women Federated Headquarters in La Quinta on Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday morning, Jenner will visit one of the Coachella Valley's iHub innovation centers, according to a press release from her campaign.
"This coming week I'll be going west from La Quinta to San Bernardino. Then we will start making our way up north,'' Jenner tweeted Sunday. "Touring this state and meeting the hard working people has been the most special opportunity.''
The CNN Wire and City News Service contributed to this report.
