Recall candidate Larry Elder is dominating the lead in the race to replace disgraced California Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to polling released just days ahead of the Sept. 14 recall election.
A U.C. Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll published Friday shows that 38 percent of likely voters preferred Larry Elder over the dozens other challengers, which is an increase from polling conducted in July.
Th recall election works by first asking voters “Yes” or “No” if they want to recall Newsom. The follow-up question asks what candidate they would choose to replace him.
Campaigning on the slogan,”We’ve got a state to save,” the conservative talk show radio host began receiving bipartisan support after highlighting how Newsom’s draconian restrictions have severely damaged Californians’ livelihoods, especially business owners.
Elder’s campaign has become appealing to Californian residents who are exhausted by the sitting governor’s draconian policies that have kept them shut down and restricted since the onset of the pandemic over a year ago. Elder is a strong advocate for school choice, lowering state taxes, criminal justice reform, as well as finding ways to incentivize local businesses to remain open.
Mr. Elder says those unhappy with “price of housing, homeless encampments, crime, failing schools, unbreathable air, water shortages, rolling blackouts, fires,” should “VOTE YES” on the recall election.
Democrat Gloria Romero, a former California state lawmaker, supports Elder advocating for charter schools and helping Latinos realize that the [Democrat] Party “has been taking them for granted.”
Just recently, Elder was assaulted by a woman wearing a gorilla mask as he toured a homeless camp in Venice Beach, showing the left’s intolerance towards minorities that do not identify with the Democrat Party. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva chimed in on the controversial encounter, suggesting whether this could constitute a “hate crime” if Elder was targeted because he is Black.
One of the strategists leading the recall efforts, Dave Gilliard, indicated that Newsom is acting as if he feels threatened by the mass opposition against him. He is now calling on help from some of the most powerful Democrats and is ramping up spending on last-minute campaign ads.
“They knew about four or five weeks ago that they were on the cusp of losing,” Gilliard said. “You wouldn’t have President Obama here on TV in the final week if you weren’t worried about your base.”
A possible recall for the sitting governor suggests not only that Californians are exhausted with Newsom’s authoritarian mandates, but also that Californian residents are ready for a change. If Newsom is recalled, Larry Elder could soon represent that desire for change.