Gavin Newsom poised to become second governor in California history to face recall vote
Sacramento, California – A Republican-led initiative to oust California Governor Gavin Newsom has gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot.
Frustrations are mounting over California's handling of the coronavirus pandemic – so much so that many residents want to see their Democratic governor removed.
Republicans drafted a recall petition. 1,626,042 people signed on, exceeding the 1.5 million requirement to appear on the ballot, the New York Times reported.
Recall petitions have been initiated against every California governor in last 61 years, but this would be only the second time in the state's history that a recall effort would go to a vote.
No date for the vote has been scheduled, but it is expected to take place in November – just one year before Newsom is set to stand for reelection.
The governor already has several Republican challengers vying for the position, including former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman John Cox, and none other than Olympic decathlete and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner.
Newsom dismisses the recall effort as a partisan attack
Newsom dismissed the recall effort as a last-ditch attempt on part of GOP to make their party appear relevant. The governor's supporters also say those who signed on to the petition primarily include Trump supporters, QAnon conspiracy theorists, and anti-vaxxers.
Indeed, the main proponent of the petition, Orrin Heatlie, has been slammed for suggesting that migrants should be microchipped.
But the governor's mistakes played their own significant part in the recall efforts. After he attended a lobbyist's birthday dinner at an exclusive wine country restaurant on November 6, despite urging citizens to stay home, over 55,000 people signed the petition to have him removed.
Nevertheless, the governor's ratings have been rising again as lockdown restrictions ease and more people receive their vaccines.
Now, the state will look into the costs associated with the vote, and recall proponents have 30 days to decide whether they want to remove their signatures.
Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press