Gavin Newsom recall, Governor of California (2019-2021)
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| 2019-2021 Gavin Newsom recall: Governor of California |
| Election result |
| Retained |
| Table of contents |
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Election updates Candidates Frequently asked questions Key dates and deadlines Polling Campaign finance Noteworthy endorsements Timeline Election history Historical gubernatorial recalls Recent news |
| Path to the ballot See also External links Footnotes |
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was retained in a recall election on September 14, 2021. Newsom was retained 61.9% to 38.1%. Roughly 12.8 million voters participated in the election. To see the results of the replacement candidate question, click here.[1]
Voters had to decide two questions: whether Newsom should be recalled and, if so, who should replace him. A majority vote was required on the first question for the governor to be recalled. If Newsom had been recalled, the candidate with the most votes on the second question would have won the election, no majority required.[2]
Forty-six candidates, including nine Democrats and 24 Republicans, ran in the election. Approximately 7.4 million voters selected a candidate on the second question. The five candidates to receive the most votes were: radio host Larry Elder (R) with 48.4%, YouTuber Kevin Paffrath (D) with 9.6%, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer (R) with 8.0%, doctor Brandon Ross (D) with 5.3%, and 2018 gubernatorial candidate John Cox (R) with 4.1%. Eight other candidates received at least 1% of the vote.
Recall supporters said Newsom mishandled the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic, did not do enough to address the state's homelessness rate, and supported sanctuary city policies and water rationing.[3] Newsom called the effort a "Republican recall — backed by the RNC, anti-mask and anti-vax extremists, and pro-Trump forces who want to overturn the last election and have opposed much of what we have done to fight the pandemic."[4] Newsom was elected governor in 2018, defeating Cox 61.9% to 38.1%.
There have been 55 attempts to recall a governor since California adopted the process in 1911. The only successful effort was in 2003 when voters recalled then-Gov. Gray Davis (D). Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected as Davis' replacement.[5][6] In that election, 135 candidates ran and the winner received 48.6% of the vote.
The Washington Post's Aaron Blake described Newsom and the Democratic Party of California's recall strategy as "Newsom-or-bust," speculating that a Democrat with broad name recognition or popularity on the ballot could have hurt Newsom's chances of survival.[7] In 2003, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamente (D) received the second most votes among replacement candidates, and his candidacy was cited by many in the media as a reason for the recall's success, claiming he gave Democratic voters more of a reason to vote to recall the governor. In this recall election, there was no similar Democratic politician for Democratic voters to coalesce around. Newsom and those campaigning on his behalf told voters to vote "No" on the recall question and leave the replacement candidate question blank.[8]
The Republican Party of California took a different approach. Faulconer, considered by many in the media to be a candidate for higher office (such as governor in 2022), was one of several experienced politicians to file. Elder, who entered the race close to the filing deadline, appealed to the party's evangelicals, voters over 65, and people who voted for former President Donald Trump (R).[9] Although the state party scheduled a vote to endorse a candidate, delegates voted not to endorse. Leaders praised the move, saying they feared an endorsement would drive down turnout among voters who preferred a different candidate.
Orrin Heatlie began this recall campaign on June 10, 2020. It was the fifth of six recall petitions filed against Newsom since 2019. Organizers of the recall campaign submitted 2.1 million signatures by the March 17 deadline and 1,719,900 were valid - more than the 1,495,970 necessary to trigger a recall election.[10]. To read more about how this recall went from the official petition to the ballot, click here.
Candidates and election results
Gavin Newsom yes/no recall question
Gavin Newsom recall, 2021
Gavin Newsom won the Governor of California recall election on September 14, 2021.
Recall Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
38.1
|
4,894,473 | |||
| ✔ | No |
61.9
|
7,944,092 | ||
Total Votes |
12,838,565 | ||||
|
|
Gavin Newsom replacement question
The ordering on the candidate list below does not reflect the order in which candidates appeared on the recall ballot. Click here to read Ballotpedia's policy on ordering candidate lists.
More than 12.8 million voters participated in the recall election, with 7.4 million of those voting in the replacement candidate question. The percentages below reflect the percentage of votes received on the replacement candidate question only and are not calculated by using total votes cast in the recall election.
General election
Special general election for Governor of California
The following candidates ran in the special general election for Governor of California on September 14, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
 | Larry Elder (R) | 48.4 | 3,563,867 | |
 | Kevin Paffrath (D)  | 9.6 | 706,778 | |
 | Kevin Faulconer (R) | 8.0 | 590,346 | |
 | Brandon Ross (D) | 5.3 | 392,029 | |
 | John Cox (R) | 4.1 | 305,095 | |
 | Kevin Kiley (R) | 3.5 | 255,490 | |
 | Jacqueline McGowan (D) | 2.9 | 214,242 | |
 | Joel Ventresca (D) | 2.5 | 186,345 | |
 | Daniel Watts (D) | 2.3 | 167,355 | |
 | Holly Baade (D) | 1.3 | 92,218 | |
 | Patrick Kilpatrick (D) | 1.2 | 86,617 | |
 | Armando Perez-Serrato (D) | 1.2 | 85,061 | |
 | Caitlyn Jenner (R) | 1.0 | 75,215 | |
 | John Drake (D) | 0.9 | 68,545 | |
 | Daniel Kapelovitz (G) | 0.9 | 64,375 | |
 | Jeff Hewitt (L) | 0.7 | 50,378 | |
 | Ted Gaines (R) | 0.7 | 47,937 | |
 | Angelyne (No party preference) | 0.5 | 35,900 | |
 | David Moore (No party preference) | 0.4 | 31,224 | |
 | Anthony Trimino (R) | 0.4 | 28,101 | |
 | Doug Ose (R) (Unofficially withdrew) | 0.4 | 26,204 | |
 | Michael Loebs (No party preference) | 0.3 | 25,468 | |
 | Heather Collins (G) | 0.3 | 24,260 | |
 | Major Singh (No party preference) | 0.3 | 21,394 | |
 | David Lozano (R) | 0.3 | 19,945 | |
 | Denver Stoner (R) | 0.3 | 19,588 | |
 | Samuel Gallucci (R) | 0.2 | 18,134 | |
 | Steven Chavez Lodge (R) | 0.2 | 17,435 | |
 | Jenny Rae Le Roux (R) | 0.2 | 16,032 | |
 | David Bramante (R) | 0.2 | 11,501 | |
 | Diego Martinez (R) | 0.1 | 10,860 | |
 | Robert Newman (R) | 0.1 | 10,602 | |
 | Sarah Stephens (R) | 0.1 | 10,583 | |
 | Dennis Richter (No party preference) | 0.1 | 10,468 | |
 | Major Williams (R) (Write-in) | 0.1 | 8,965 | |
 | Denis Lucey (No party preference) | 0.1 | 8,182 | |
 | James Hanink (No party preference) | 0.1 | 7,193 | |
 | Daniel Mercuri (R) | 0.1 | 7,110 | |
 | Chauncey Killens (R) | 0.1 | 6,879 | |
 | Leo Zacky (R) | 0.1 | 6,099 | |
 | Kevin Kaul (No party preference) | 0.1 | 5,600 | |
 | David Hillberg (R) | 0.1 | 4,435 | |
 | Adam Papagan (No party preference) | 0.1 | 4,021 | |
 | Rhonda Furin (R) | 0.1 | 3,964 | |
 | Nickolas Wildstar (R) | 0.1 | 3,811 | |
 | Jeremiah Marciniak (No party preference) | 0.0 | 2,894 | |
 | Joe Symmon (R) | 0.0 | 2,397 | |
 | Miki Habryn (No party preference) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 137 | |
| Roxanne (D) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 116 | |
| Stacy Smith (D) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 81 | |
| Vivek Mohan (No party preference) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 68 | |
| Thuy Hugens (American Independent Party) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 19 | |
| Vince Lundgren (No party preference) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 5 | |
| Total votes: 7,361,568 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Amey (American Independent Party)
- Karen Blake (R)
- Mariana Dawson (No party preference)
- Veronika Fimbres (G)
- Elizabeth Floyd (No party preference)
- Wayne Frazier (R)
- Timothy Herode (R)
- Luis Huang (D)
- Jimih Jones (R)
- Paul Mesrop Kurdian (No party preference)
- Carla Canada (No party preference)
- Mary Cook (No party preference)
- Torr Leonard (D)
- Jeremy Lupoli (D)
- Louis J. Marinelli, III (R)
- Christopher Mason (R)
- John Pierce (R)
- Patrick Rakus, Jr. (R)
- Frank Wade (D)
- Marc Roth (No party preference)
- Christopher Carlson (G)
- Douglas Deitch (D)
- Bryan Farley (D)
- Justin Hubbard (R)
- Jason Dixon (D)
- Sean Harrison (R)
- Ronald Palmieri (D)
- Ben Zandpour (No party preference)
- Robert Davidson Griffis (D)
- A. Shantz (G)
- Adam Hadjinian (No party preference)
- Michael Lynn Gabriel (No party preference)
- Hilaire Shioura (No party preference)
- Lee Olson (No party preference)
- Joseph Luciano (R)
- Steven Fitzgerald (R)
- Anthony Fanara (D)
- Jemiss Nazar (No party preference)
- Kevin Abushi (R)
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[11]
To view candidates of a specific political party, click the links below:
Recall question
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
Governor of California (Assumed office: 2019)
Lieutenant Governor of California (2011-2019)
Mayor of San Francisco (2004-2010)
San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1997-2004)
Biography: Newsom earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Santa Clara University in 1989. In addition to working in sales and real estate, he founded and ran PlumpJack, a wine shop that grew into a network of businesses.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Democratic candidates
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am an Immigrant from Rīga, Latvia, a small city and country in Eastern Europe. I moved to the United States when I was four years old and have lived in California ever since. All my life I have been interested in politics. While most kids were playing basketball or trading Pokémon cards on the playground, I was reading and studying political theory. I was examining the causes and effects of US foreign policy in the Middle East and Africa. I have always known I’d wanted to go into politics. I’ve always had a love for helping those around me and making the world a better place. I’ve always believed that if I could somehow make one person better off today than they were yesterday, I’ve done something worthwhile."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "200+ films/hit TV shows as lead actor, producer, international film funding expert, and screenwriter - work with Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Antoine Fuqua, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Naomi Watts, etc. He has appeared in over 80 beloved series - all ‘CSI’ and ‘NCIS’ franchises, ‘Nip/Tuck’, ‘Criminal Minds’, ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ among them. Between international film and television appearances, Kilpatrick has been a scriptwriter, producer consultant, and producer on a multitude of projects. Kilpatrick is president and CEO of Uncommon Dialogue Films, Inc. (UDF) - a full-service script, casting, film and media service company. Writer for every magazine and ad agency in New York - TIME, LIFE, PEOPLE, INTERVIEW. Broadway/off-Broadway assistant director/director. Kilpatrick is a resident of California since 1987 and a participant in numerous California charities. He is also a father of two grown sons with no student debt."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Kevin Paffrath, also known as Meet Kevin, is an American YouTuber, investor, and real estate broker from Ventura, California. Kevin announced that he was running for governor of California in the 2021 recall election Monday, May 17th. He’s running as a Democrat and is the 26th person to officially enter the race to replace Gavin Newsom. With over 1.6 million YouTube subscribers, Kevin focuses on financial education and news-related content. Kevin has previously been featured in the New York Times, Business Insider, Forbes, and CNBC for his financial-education content. He also commonly interviews CEOs and other well-known people in the financial world. Paffrath came to California with $1,000 at 17 years old. While working at Jamba Juice & Red Robin, he attended Buena High & Ventura College before graduating UCLA. Paffrath became a Realtor & bought his first home and later numerous rental homes. He later became a real estate broker & is now a self-made millionaire with a net worth of over $20 million. He shares his knowledge through YouTube. Now, Kevin understands why people are fleeing California. Taxes are too high. Homelessness is endemic. Housing affordability is at an all-time low. And, our schools are failing our citizens."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "California needs a viable, moderate Democrat who understands comebacks to lead the way. As the pandemic persists, we need someone who knows the medical science and the law. Mine is a comeback story. I built myself into a success, got hooked on drugs and lost everything. Then I conquered addiction and rose from the ashes to rebuild everything and more. I am a native Californian born and raised in San Diego. I went to UC Davis and graduated with Highest Honors with a degree in Genetics. I attended medical school to become a doctor, while simultaneously attaining my Masters in Public Health and Masters in Business Administration. Next, I established a successful cosmetic surgery center. I had it all, including a family and three kids. Then I lost everything after I got hooked on drugs, which started with an opiate addiction after taking narcotics for a back injury. My career, marriage, finances, friends, and custody of my children- GONE! I entered a recovery program seven years ago and turned my life around. I graduated law school and rebuilt my medical practice better than before. I regained custody of my kids, have a wonderful family and a fulfilling life. I run a charity that offers free cosmetic surgery to children following trauma and radiation treatments for brain tumors. I live a sober life and will make an excellent governor. If nothing else, I hope to at least be an inspiration to addicts and their families that addiction can be overcome."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am an Independent, Berniecrat, Democrat. I have 34 years of exceptional award-winning public service as an administrator, analyst, and safety security risk expert building the industry-leading San Francisco International Airport into an economic powerhouse creating 300,000 jobs and $62.5 billion in business sales annually (1987-2018) and as a department head assistant & aging specialist reorganizing the City and County of San Francisco Aging Commission into a model department (1981-1984). At the San Francisco airport, I worked in facilities, operations, maintenance, business, finance, and risk management. At the San Francisco aging department, I worked in the areas of budget, programmatic & financial auditing, planning, and contractor oversight. Some of the key high-level prior impactful leadership positions I have held include: Democratic Party runner-up for San Francisco mayor in 2019; City and County of San Francisco Environmental Commissioner; President, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods; Executive Board Member, SEIU 790; Nationally-known successful community organizer; Environmental Justice Pioneer."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I'm a Democrat, a free speech lawyer, and I'm your best backup candidate in case the governor is recalled. I'm not running against Governor Newsom; I'm running to protect Californians' rights to free speech and affordable education. For 15 years, clients have trusted me to protect their First Amendment rights. As a First Amendment attorney, I've litigated anti-SLAPP motions up to the California Supreme Court and back. In fact, I became a lawyer for that very reason: To protect First Amendment rights, especially the rights of students. Here’s the Governor Watts promise: Every public college in California that reviews its student conduct code and eliminates policies that violate the First Amendment should be tuition free. Every public college needs to obey the First Amendment anyway, but those that actually do it immediately will become tuition-free, giving them a competitive advantage over their speech-restrictive brethren. For just one-tenth of this year's budget surplus, every state college could be 100% tuition free. We can do it, and we should do it. That's what I'd do on day one as governor. That's what Governor Newsom should do today."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Republican candidates
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Hi California, I am probably like you or someone you know. I have lived my whole life in or around Los Angeles. I was brought up by a single mom who raised my brother and me on food stamps while she attended law school at Southwestern Law School. I learned from a young age the meaning of hard work and that I wanted to change my circumstances for my future children. I attended the University of California Los Angeles for several years before leaving to pursue real estate investing full-time, and later became a top broker at firms like Marcus & Millichap and Douglas Elliman in Los Angeles. I am a small business owner of a real estate voice marketing company, My Home Agent, and my real estate team, The Bramante Group. Let me tell you four things about myself that will affect how I will lead: 1. I am third generation Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles, by my single mother and grandparents. 2. I am the father of three young kids. 3. I have experienced being evicted (when I was a kid my mother was a property manager and was pushed out of a building). And I have owned several apartment buildings. 4. I have been a California Realtor AND multifamily developer for over 15 years."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Cox earned his bachelor's from the University of Illinois at Chicago in accounting and political science. He later graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law and began working as an accountant. Cox founded a law firm and an accounting firm. He also worked in investment advice, real estate, and venture capital. He ran for governor in 2018.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Elder earned his B.A. in political science from Brown University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law. At the time of his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, Elder was the host of a daily radio program syndicated on more than 300 radio stations.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Mayor of San Diego (2014-2020)
- San Diego City Council (2002-2014)
Biography: Faulconer earned his bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. After graduation, he received a Coro Foundation fellowship. Before serving in public office, he worked in public relations for Solem & Associates, Nelson Communications Group, and Porter Novelli.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
California State Board of Equalization (Assumed office: 2019)
California State Senate (2011-2019)
- California State Assembly (2006-2011)
Submitted Biography: "After nearly 36 years of marriage, I’m a father of six, and a grandfather of seven. I’m a Christian, a long time business owner and experienced public servant. I’ve been fighting for the rights of my constituents for the past 20 years, starting with my position as placer county supervisor as well as elected office in the State Assembly and Senate. I’m now the highest ranking republican in the state, representing 10 million Californians on the Board of Equalization. In addition, I own an independent insurance agency and have been in the industry for over 40 years with an intimate understanding of the challenges facing both the public and private sectors in California. I know firsthand what this state is capable of, and it is frustrating beyond words to see the future of this great state threatened by incompetent governance and backwards policies. It's said in Proverbs 29:18 that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I know that with the right leadership and the right vision, we can unleash California’s massive potential and make it once again the pride of our nation. Together our future is bright."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am just an aircraft mechanic and Actor been doing these for a long while been a California citizen a little longer than that ,prior LASD aero bureau and Border Patrol ,"
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Jenner earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from Graceland College. Her professional career includes working as an actor, as an author, and in the aviation industry. She earned the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
California State Assembly (Assumed office: 2016)
Biography: Kiley earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University, his J.D. from Yale Law School, and his master's in secondary education from Loyola Marymount University. His professional experience includes working as a teacher and an adjunct professor.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "As a 64-year old black male, who has lived in the Great State of California the majority of my life. I have benefited and enjoyed the many freedoms this country has offered. These God given freedoms have slowly eroded over the years both at the State and the National levels which became shockingly evident with the 2020 chaos we experienced around our Nation by BLM, Antifa and White "Woke" fNolk. It is for this reason, that I have decided to enter the gubernatorial race in California. When Governor Gavin Newsom is recalled, as new Governor I, Chauncey "Slim" Killens, will aggressively support and defend our Faith, our Family and our Freedoms. WILL YOU HELP ME "MAKE CALIFORNIA GREAT AGAIN" in 2021. VOTE FOR CHAUNCEY "SLIM" KILLENS 2021 GOVERNOR "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am an accomplished business executive and strategist. After launching my career advising billion-dollar companies and government organizations at Bain Consulting, I co-built companies in the energy and financial services industries before purchasing a private tech-enabled services company. I am a frequent presenter at Harvard Business School and over 60 other top institutions, and have been quoted in Forbes, Business Insider, and other business publications. I am a businesswoman who runs organizations where results matter. I grew startups into global businesses by shrinking costs and bringing value to the marketplace. And I did it all while raising a family. My children attend a Spanish language immersion school, and the family operates a hobby ranch. As the state’s top executive, I’ll do what I’ve always done: follow the data to common sense solutions to free Californians to live, work, and breathe. As an outsider, I am beholden only to the people of California. As a working Californian, I won’t ask you to do anything I’m not willing to do. And as a mom, I believe that California’s kids deserve better: they deserve a free and prosperous future in California."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "When I was 14 years old, the family moved to the small agricultural town of Sonora in Tuolumne County. There, I began to work as a busboy, a line cook and eventually at age 16, became the head cook of another nearby restaurant. For the next 3 years, I would move from restaurant cooking to working in a lumber yard where he learned to operate heavy equipment. While working during the day, I continued my high school education at night and graduated from continuation high school in 1994. On weekend nights, I would work at a Spanish radio station in Merced and, eventually, started his first business, a small DJ company. The family didn’t have much, but at least I was able to help keep a roof over their head and food on the table. Always trying to improve my lot in life, I changed careers in 2001 and started working in the automotive industry, where I was promoted to General Manager of a dealership. My success as a GM and the skills I learned prepared me to walk into other failing agencies during the 2007-2008 economic recession and turn those agencies around. Not only did I succeed with turning these agencies around, 2008 also memorialized the most important milestone in my life. With unwavering determination, hard work and clear focus I became a US Citizen."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am Robert C. Newman II, Ph.D. I am a firm believer in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. My wife, Mary, and I have been married for sixty years and have two adult children and two adult grandchildren. I have a BA in Zoology and Chemistry, a MA in theoretical and experimental psychology, and a Ph.D. in clinical research psychology. I was in private practice for over twenty years. In our youth my wife and I were in 4H and I was in the FFA, Future Farmers of America so we decided to return to our agricultural roots. We now own and operate a small farm. God called me to be the governor in 2001. Therefore, I have ran in every gubernatorial election since the recall of Gray Davis. I have been active in water management for many years. I have been a Pro-Life activist and legal immigration activist. I continue to conduct research on various topics as I have an appetite for knowledge."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Born in the heart of California’s central valley, Tulare, California, I lived there for the first 28 years of my life. We moved to Alpine County in 2002 where I began my career as a deputy sheriff and public safety officer. As a public safety officer, my primary role is law enforcement. Additionally, I serve as a fireman and EMT, which has enabled me to handle medical and fire emergencies. I have also been able to serve the state on numerous wildfires, including the Creek Fire and August Complex Fires last year and the Tamarack Fire this year. I have also overseen and assisted with numerous search and rescue efforts in Alpine and Calaveras counties. My wife and I have been married for 22 years. We have two children and one grandchild."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "JOE SYMMON IS ON THE BALLOT
My name is Joe M. Symmon and I'm on the ballot for Governor of California for the September 14th election.
I'm a Born-again Christian, a Conservative Republican. Not ashamed, timid or intimidated about my Saviour Jesus Christ, Romans 1:18.
I'm pro-life, pro-family, pro- 2nd amendment and Committed believer in what the Scripture says:
"When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh." Proverbs 29:2
With God's favor and the choice of California voters, Joe Symmon will bring that change.
Because of corruption and dictatorship California is in bad shape and needs to get back on track.
VOTE 4 JOE SYMMON GOVERNOR.
Joe Symmon is one of Us!
"
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Nickolas Wildstar is an American political activist and politician who ran for California governor in 2014 as an Independent and in 2018 was the endorsed Libertarian Candidate. He also ran for Fullerton City Council in 2018 and Mayor of Fresno in 2020. The Wisconsin native moved to California during the Summer of 1999 to further his career as a hip-hop musician but quickly began to get involved as an activist in his community protesting against abuses of authority by police officers and other government officials, media censorship, and many other politically charged causes. Wildstar was 1 of the 46 candidates that qualified to be in the recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. He is also a declared candidate for the 2022 California Gubernatorial Election. Him and his wife Crystal recently gave birth to their first child, Chancellor, after moving to Fresno early Summer of 2019."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Independent or third-party candidates
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I'm an educator and a writer. My wife Elizabeth and I just celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary. We are the proud parents of six children. Our family, like our neighborhood, is racially diverse. For 40 years I taught philosophy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Currently I blog for the New Oxford Review and host a weekly videocast, The Open Door. I am the candidate of the American Solidarity Party. "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Michael Loebs is a child of two Alameda county natives and has lived in California his entire life. From his father's family, who have been in the East Bay for well over a century, Michael learned about the culture, history, and complexity of his home. From his mother's parents—immigrants from Guangdong whose children and grandchildren have almost entirely remained in the Bay Area—he was taught that California is a land of possibilities. At the age of fifteen, Michael began over a decade of work in the computer industry as a programmer while completing his undergraduate work in political science at UC Berkeley. He left that profession in 2009 to pursue graduate studies, working at various times in the hospitality, entertainment, and cannabis industries. After receiving his M.A. from San Francisco State University, he began teaching there as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science in 2013. Raised as a Democrat, Michael joined the California National Party in 2016 when he realized that the constant fighting between the two federal parties over a power based 3000 miles away would prevent actually solving the unique and urgent issues facing California. He decided instead that it was the responsibility to Californians to focus on the problems of California, since no one will solve our problems unless we do so ourselves. Since 2019, he has been elected by fellow party members to serve as chairperson of the CNP."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a 2nd generation Californian by birth, with a grandfather that survived the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. My grandparents immigrated without having citizenship rights from Ireland, whose indigenous community was suppressed by an empire that ruled nearly 1/4 of the entire world and opposed our nation's forefathers. I 100% support the U.S. Constitution, not because California teachers are required to take an oath to defend our constitution, but because of my civic and religious belief in defending personal freedom and the spiritual gift of free will for every human. Additionally, I pledge to respect my family members and others that made the supreme sacrifice to defend our liberty. One uncle died in combat during WWII, his brother endured extreme combat under General Patton and my father fortunately served defending the Alaskan border from foreign invasion. I also respect our indigenous Native Californian brothers and sisters whose ancestors were placed here by the One Creator God. I've been blessed to be a supporter and participant of various Native Californian elders and activities within this indigenous community. The most important lesson to be learned about remedying global warming, our disastrous wildfires and other environmental concerns requires respecting ancestral Native Californian wisdom and accepting the necessity of indigenous spiritual involvement in all matters relating to Mother Earth."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a life long citizen of California, a past business owner(who like many was forced to shut down), a patriot, and am now determined to give the state government back to the people. Follow me on F.B., Insta, Youtube."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a first-generation immigrant from India who was welcomed to this amazing land by wonderful, decent, and trusting people. I am running for Governor this September as a write-in candidate. It breaks my heart to see the 3rd world style political theater in our great state and country. As someone who had the good fortune of living and working across the world, I can say hand-on-heart there is still no other country even close to us. We have problems. Big, urgent problems. And Sacramento seems to have lost its way. But don't believe the naysayers. There are a lot of voices telling us the sky is falling, and that California or the USA is done. They are wrong. As a wise man said, "Don't ever bet against the US (or California)!" I have raised my hand to be counted. We owe our kids and future generations to leave the state, country, and world a little bit better for them. I have started and run 2 small biz. I have been a senior global executive running a big organization. A spiritual seeker on an intense personal journey. A husband, father, son, friend...... and now someone willing to climb this mountain to do my bit for the next generation. "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m a entertainer and small business owner born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. I’m fed up with elites, celebrities, and career politicians who normally run for office and I wanted to see first hand what it would take for a regular person to run for office."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Party: No party preference
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Born and raised in rural Minnesota. Years of trade union experience in steel, meatpacking, rail, and garment. Part of building solidarity for trade union struggles and part of fights by his union for higher wages and improved working conditions. Defender of Cuban Revolution and opposed to Washington's six-decade long economic embargo. Oppose wokeism and and cancel culture. For unconditional right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State. Oppose all of Washington's military wars and deployments around the world. For amnesty for undocumented workers For a labor party based on the trade unions as a step to fighting for a workers and farmers government-- the third American Revolution. Nationalize PG&E and So. Cal Edisoon."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of California in 2021.
Frequently asked questions
This section provides answers to some frequently asked questions related to the recall election. Those questions are:
- What will the recall ballot look like?
- Can I vote for a replacement candidate if I vote not to recall Newsom?
- Can I vote for a write-in replacement candidate?
- If the recall is successful, how long will the replacement governor serve?
- How would a recount work for this election?
- Will all registered voters receive a ballot by mail for the recall election?
- How many governors have faced recall elections?
- How does a recall process work in California?
What will the recall ballot look like?
The recall election presented voters with two questions. The first asked whether Newsom should be recalled from the office of governor. The second asked who should succeed Newsom if he is recalled. A majority vote was required on the first question for the governor to be recalled. The candidate with the most votes on the second question would win the election, no majority required.[2]
In the 2003 recall of Davis, 135 candidates ran and the winner received 48.58 percent of the vote. A sample ballot for the Newsom recall is embedded below.
Can I vote for a replacement candidate if I vote not to recall Newsom?
Yes. Voters who vote "No" on the question to recall Newsom may still vote for a replacement candidate on the ballot's second question. All votes for individual candidates on the second question, regardless of the vote on the first question, will be counted.[12]
Can I vote for a write-in replacement candidate?
Yes, although the vote may not count. According to California law, write-in votes may only be counted if the candidate in question has filed the paperwork necessary to qualify as a write-in candidate. Jon Healey of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "[S]ome Democratic and left-leaning independent voters are thinking about writing in the name of an experienced politician with like-minded views just in case the Sept. 14 recall succeeds. They can certainly do so, but they’ll probably be wasting their vote."[13] To see the list of certified write-in candidates for this election, click here.
If the recall is successful, how long will the replacement governor serve?
If Newsom is recalled, his replacement will serve the remainder of Newsom's term until January 2, 2023. A regularly scheduled election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the next governor.
How would a recount work for this election?
- See also: Recount laws in California
As of 2021, election recounts in California must be requested. Different rules apply depending on who makes the request:
- Voters or candidates: Any voter or candidate may request a recount. The requester is responsible for the costs unless the recount changes the outcome of the election in favor of the requester. The deadline to request a statewide or multi-county recount is 5:00 p.m. on the 36th day after the election. Requests may not be submitted before the 31st day after the election. The deadline to request a recount in an election taking place in a single county is within five days of the county's canvass.[14] There is no deadline for the requested recount's completion.
- Courts: A court may order one or more recounts if a district attorney makes a request within 25 days of an election. The district attorney must have probable cause to believe that misconduct occurred or mistakes were made when tabulating the election results. The court may order payments to cover the costs of the recount(s).[14]
- Election officials: An election official may order a recount if he or she believes ballots in the precinct have been miscounted and there is no explanation as to why the miscounting occurred.
- Governor: The governor may order a recount paid for by the state within five days after the Secretary of State files a statement of the vote. In order for the governor to request a recount, there must be a vote margin of either 1,000 votes or 0.015% of the total vote, whichever is less, between the winning and losing candidate or position, in the case of ballot measures.[15] In a general election, the deadline to complete a recount is within 60 days of the order.
- Write-in candidates: A write-in candidate may request a hand tally of undervotes under certain circumstances, which can be found here.
Will all registered voters receive a ballot by mail for the recall election?
Yes. On February 19, 2021, Newsom signed a law that allows all registered voters to receive ballots automatically for each election through the end of 2021. This law was an extension of the policy enacted in 2020. According to The Hill, more than 86 percent of California voters used mail-in ballots in the 2020 general election.[16]
How many governors have faced recall elections?
Between 1921 and 2020, four gubernatorial recall efforts have qualified for the ballot: 1921 (North Dakota), 1988 (Arizona), 2003 (California), and 2012 (Wisconsin). Of those, two resulted in the incumbent governor's removal from office (Lynn Frazier in North Dakota and Gray Davis in California). The 1988 Arizona recall election was canceled after the governor's impeachment.[17]
Governors of 11 other states faced recall campaigns in 2020. None of those campaigns made it to the ballot.
How does a recall process work in California?
- See also: Laws governing recall in California
The citizens of California have the authority to perform a recall election according to Article 2, Sections 13-19 of the California Constitution. This section of the constitution was added via Proposition 8 by voters in October 1911. The recall provisions apply to officials at the state and local levels, including judges of courts of appeal and trial courts.
To recall state officials, proponents must file a notice-of-intent-to-recall petition signed by 65 voters to begin the petition drive process. Proponents must gather signatures equal to a percentage of the total number of votes most recently cast for the targeted office - 12% for executive officials and 20% for state legislators and judges. Proponents must gather signatures from each of at least five counties equal in number to 1% of the last vote for the office in that county.
As of February 2021, the 12% signature threshold for gubernatorial recalls in California was the second-lowest in the country. In Virginia, the threshold was 10% of votes cast in the last election. In Montana, the threshold was 10% of eligible voters in the last election.
Polling
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Recall question
| Gavin Newsom recall, 2021: Recall question polls | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date | Yes, Recall | No, Don't Recall | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | Sponsor |
| Berkeley IGS | August 30-September 6, 2021 | 39% | 60% | 1% | ± 2.0 | 6,550 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA | September 7-8, 2021 | 41% | 54% | 5% | ± 4.2 | 930 | N/A |
| Suffolk University | September 6-7, 2021 | 41% | 58% | 1% | ± 4.4 | 500 | N/A |
| YouGov | August 27-September 1, 2021 | 44% | 56% | N/A[18] | ± 2.8 | 2,043 | N/A |
| Public Policy Institute of California | August 20-29, 2021 | 39% | 58% | N/A[19] | ± 3.4 | 1,706 | N/A |
| The Trafalgar Group | August 26-29, 2021 | 44% | 52% | 4% | ± 3.0 | 1,088 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA | August 26-28, 2021 | 43% | 51% | 6% | ± 4.4 | 816 | N/A |
| Change Research | August 22-25, 2021 | 42% | 57% | 1% | ± 3.7 | 782 | N/A |
| CBS News/YouGov | August 6-12, 2021 | 48% | 52% | 0% | ± 4.0 | 1,856 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA** | August 2-4, 2021 | 51% | 40% | 9% | ± 5.0 | 613 | N/A |
| Inside California Politics / Emerson College | July 30-August 1, 2021 | 46% | 48% | 6% | ± 3.0 | 1,000 | N/A |
| Core Decision Analytics | July 27-29, 2021 | 39% | 48% | 12% | ± 3.5 | 804 | N/A |
| Berkeley IGS | July 18-24, 2021 | 47% | 50% | 3% | ± 2.0 | 5,795 | N/A |
| Inside California Politics / Emerson College | July 19-20, 2021 | 43% | 48% | 9% | ± 2.9 | 1,085 | N/A |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 9–18, 2021 | 40% | 57% | 3% | ± 3.2 | 1,705 | N/A |
| Berkeley IGS | April 29-May 5, 2021 | 36% | 49% | 15% | ± 2.0 | 10,289 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA | April 30-May 2, 2021 | 36% | 47% | 17% | ± 5.3 | 642 | N/A |
| Public Policy Institute of California | March 14-23, 2021 | 40% | 56% | 5% | ± 3.3 | 1,706 | N/A |
| Probolsky Research | March 16-19, 2021 | 40% | 46% | 14% | ± 3.3 | 900 | N/A |
| Emerson Polling[20] | March 12-14, 2021 | 38% | 42% | 14% | ± 3.0 | 1,045 | N/A |
| WPA Intelligence | Feb. 12-14, 2021 | 47% | 43% | 10% | ± 3.9 | 645 | Kevin Faulconer |
| Berkeley IGS | Jan. 23-29, 2021 | 36% | 45% | 19% | ± 2.0 | 10,357 | N/A |
**Note: In a poll released in late August, SurveyUSA discussed the results of this poll and addressed several factors it felt had contributed to the difference between the two. Click here to read that discussion.
Candidates
| Gavin Newsom recall, 2021: Candidate polls | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date |  Cox
|
Elder
|
Faulconer
|
Jenner
|
Kiley
|
 Paffrath
|
Other | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | Sponsor |
| Berkeley IGS | August 30-September 6, 2021 | 4% | 38% | 8% | N/A[21] | 4% | 10% | 20%[22] | 16%[23] | ± 2.0 | 6,550 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA | September 7-8, 2021 | 8% | 29% | 6% | 2% | 3% | 9% | 6%[24] | 13% | ± 5.5 | 597 | N/A |
| Suffolk University | September 6-7, 2021 | 4% | 39% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 5% | 8%[25] | 28% | ± 4.4 | 233 | N/A |
| YouGov | August 27-September 1, 2021 | 4% | 20% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 6% | 63%[26] | N/A[27] | ± 2.8 | 2,043 | N/A |
| Public Policy Institute of California | August 20-29, 2021 | 3% | 26% | 5% | 1% | 1% | N/A[28] | 39%[29] | 24% | ± 3.4 | 1,706 | N/A |
| The Trafalgar Group | August 26-29, 2021 | 4% | 29% | 4% | 1% | N/A[30] | 22% | 9% | 30% | ± 3.0 | 1,088 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA | August 26-28, 2021 | 6% | 27% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 12%[31] | 14% | ± 5.2 | 515 | N/A |
| Change Research | August 22-25, 2021 | 2% | 27% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 6% | 29%[32] | 15% | ± 3.7 | 782 | N/A |
| CBS News/YouGov | August 6-12, 2021 | 3% | 23% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 13% | 25%[33] | 25% | ± 4.0 | 1,856 | N/A |
| SurveyUSA** | August 2-4, 2021 | 10% | 23% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 27% | 5% | 20% | ± 5.4 | 545 | N/A |
| Inside California Politics / Emerson College | July 30-August 1, 2021 | 7% | 23% | 4% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 14%[34] | 40% | ± 3.0 | 1,000 | N/A |
| Core Decision Analytics | July 27-29, 2021 | 4% | 9% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 55%[35] | 34% | ± 3.5 | 804 | N/A |
| Berkeley IGS | July 18-24, 2021 | 10% | 18% | 10% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 11%[36] | 40% | ± 2.0 | 5,795 | N/A |
| Inside California Politics / Emerson College | July 19-20, 2021 | 6% | 16% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 8%[37] | 53% | ± 2.9 | 1,085 | N/A |
**Note: In a poll released in late August, SurveyUSA discussed the results of this poll and addressed several factors it felt had contributed to the difference between the two. Click here to read that discussion.
Approval ratings
The chart below shows approval rating polling conducted by the University of California-Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Sciences in June 2019, September 2020, January 2021, April 2021, and July 2021.
Poll size and margin of error
- June 2019: 4,435 registered voters, 2.5 percent margin of error
- September 2020: 7,198 registered voters, 2 percent margin of error
- January 2021: 10,357 registered voters, 2 percent margin of error
- April 2021: 10,289 registered voters, 2 percent margin of error
- July 2021: 5,795 registered voters, 2 percent margin of error
Ballotpedia Power Index
- See also: The Ballotpedia Power Index
The Ballotpedia Power Index (BPI) is an election forecasting tool that factors in polling averages from RealClearPolitics and share prices on PredictIt to project the overall chances of an outcome occurring in an election. The chart below shows the Ballotpedia Power Index for the first recall question in this election. In other words, a 60% score for no and a 40% score for yes would mean that, according to the combination of polling averages and PredictIt prices, there was a 60% chance of voters not recalling Newsom and a 40% chance of voters recalling Newsom.
Campaign finance
The chart below combines data for both campaign committees and candidates to give a sense of the total funds raised and spent by both sides of the recall election. Additional details for both campaign committees and individual candidates are available in the sections below.
- Support committees and Republican candidates raised a combined $53.1 million and spent a combined $53.5 million.
- Opposition committees and Democratic candidates raised a combined $88.9 million and spent a combined $91.9 million.
Recall committees
The table below summarizes the campaign finance data in this race for the official committees formed in support of and opposition to the recall campaign.
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $18,029,183.81 | $2,872,838.92 | $20,902,022.73 | $19,252,030.34 | $22,173,837.67 |
| Oppose | $83,921,450.96 | $4,515,999.37 | $88,437,450.33 | $86,846,829.26 | $91,358,056.54 |
According to final reports filed by January 31, 2022, nine committees were registered to support a "Yes" vote on the recall. Those groups collectively raised $20.9 million.[38]
| Committees in support of the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom (2021) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| California Patriot Coalition | $1,662,905.23 | $2,698,740.02 | $4,361,645.25 | $1,576,734.54 | $4,201,268.27 |
| Rescue California | $6,027,015.67 | $80,332.69 | $6,107,348.36 | $6,120,400.30 | $6,100,681.68 |
| Recall Newsom! | $256,222.78 | $11,320.09 | $267,542.87 | $167,379.11 | $401,925.21 |
| Clean Up California | $274,923.48 | $2,652.99 | $277,576.47 | $218,530.51 | $221,183.50 |
| Californians United | $75,161.62 | $150.00 | $75,311.62 | $73,629.88 | $73,779.88 |
| Larry Elder's Ballot Measure Committee | $8,732,907.03 | $79,643.13 | $8,812,550.16 | $10,015,289.00 | $10,094,932.13 |
| Black Americans Making America First | $863,667.00 | $0.00 | $863,667.00 | $943,002.00 | $943,002.00 |
| Lincoln Club of Orange County | $123,000.00 | $0.00 | $123,000.00 | $123,684.00 | $123,684.00 |
| Students for Life Action | $13,381.00 | $0.00 | $13,381.00 | $13,381.00 | $13,381.00 |
According to final reports filed by January 31, 2022, 20 committees were registered to support a "No" vote on the recall. Those groups collectively raised $88.4 million.[38]
| Committees in opposition to the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom (2021) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Stop the Republican Recall of Governor Newsom | $69,026,144.21 | $3,871,669.38 | $72,897,813.59 | $69,259,686.60 | $72,853,300.29 |
| Caregivers and Californians United Against the Recall | $100,843.92 | $50,000.00 | $150,843.92 | $102,679.81 | $150,827.31 |
| Stop the Steal | $58,340.52 | $0.00 | $58,340.52 | $58,340.52 | $58,340.52 |
| Democratic Action | $9,630,310.47 | $0.00 | $9,630,310.47 | $9,133,101.22 | $9,130,211.73 |
| Essential Workers Opposing the Recall | $1,410,000.00 | $28,971.70 | $1,438,971.70 | $1,810,000.00 | $1,811,971.70 |
| Committee for Working Families | $60,000.00 | $0.00 | $60,000.00 | $41,366.40 | $41,366.40 |
| SEIU California | $1,534,703.93 | $0.00 | $1,534,703.93 | $2,947,047.06 | $2,947,047.06 |
| Activate America | $21,452.72 | $0.00 | $21,452.72 | $12,061.20 | $25,804.02 |
| Californians Against Trumpism | $41,000.00 | $0.00 | $41,000.00 | $33,053.55 | $33,144.55 |
| Million Voter Project | $606,500.00 | $498,131.45 | $1,104,631.45 | $1,783,530.44 | $2,282,494.49 |
| JDCA PAC | $97,707.91 | $0.00 | $97,707.91 | $137,976.06 | $137,976.06 |
| Progressive Turnout Project | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $31,000.00 | $31,000.00 |
| Communities for a New California | $167,045.02 | $0.00 | $167,045.02 | $167,045.02 | $167,045.02 |
| Left of Center PAC | $34,206.21 | $0.00 | $34,206.21 | $39,027.77 | $39,027.77 |
| AAPI Victory Fund | $67,226.84 | $67,226.84 | $134,453.68 | $290,359.17 | $647,945.18 |
| ACLU of Northern California | $50,000.00 | $0.00 | $50,000.00 | $31,325.18 | $31,325.18 |
| Unity PAC | $182,250.00 | $0.00 | $182,250.00 | $135,747.06 | $135,747.06 |
| Environmental Defense Action Fund PAC | $95,956.29 | $0.00 | $95,956.29 | $127,465.35 | $127,465.35 |
| Voto Latino | $728,471.92 | $0.00 | $728,471.92 | $696,725.85 | $696,725.85 |
| Strike PAC | $9,291.00 | $0.00 | $9,291.00 | $9,291.00 | $9,291.00 |
Candidate committees
Candidates not appearing on the chart below did not have a summary report available on the Secretary of State's website as of September 7, 2021.
Noteworthy endorsements
This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.
For information on individuals and organizations that supported or opposed the recall during the signature collection phase, click here.
Recall question
This section lists media, elected officials, individuals, and organizations that announced support or opposition for the recall of Newsom after the signature filing deadline.
| Noteworthy endorsements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Yes, Recall | No, Don't Recall |
| Newspapers and editorials | ||
| The Bakersfield Californian[39] | ✔ | |
| Bay Area Reporter[40] | ✔ | |
| Fresno Bee[41] | ✔ | |
| Los Angeles Daily News[42] | ✔ | |
| Los Angeles Times[43] | ✔ | |
| The Mercury News[44] | ✔ | |
| Napa Valley Register[45] | ✔ | |
| The New York Times[46] | ✔ | |
| Orange County Register[47] | ✔ | |
| The Sacramento Bee[48] | ✔ | |
| The San Diego Union-Tribune[49] | ✔ | |
| San Francisco Chronicle[50] | ✔ | |
| Santa Barbara Independent[51] | ✔ | |
| The Santa Clarita Valley Signal[52] | ✔ | |
| Elected officials | ||
| President Joe Biden (D)[53] | ✔ | |
| Vice President Kamala Harris (D)[54] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)[55] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)[56] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)[57] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.)[58] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R-Texas)[59] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.)[58] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)[60] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)[61] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.)[58] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.)[58] | ✔ | |
| U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.)[55] | ✔ | |
| State Sen. Josh Becker (D)[62] | ✔ | |
| State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D)[63] | ✔ | |
| State Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D)[64] | ✔ | |
| State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D)[65] | ✔ | |
| State Asm. Wendy Carrillo (D)[64] | ✔ | |
| State Asm. Rudy Salas (D)[66] | ✔ | |
| San Francisco Mayor London Breed[67] | ✔ | |
| San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria[68] | ✔ | |
| San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo[69] | ✔ | |
| Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf[65] | ✔ | |
| Bakersfield City Councilmember Eric Arias[66] | ✔ | |
| San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin[67] | ✔ | |
| Bakersfield City Councilmember Andrae Gonzales[66] | ✔ | |
| Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León[63] | ✔ | |
| San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher[68] | ✔ | |
| Individuals | ||
| Former Gov. Jerry Brown[50] | ✔ | |
| Former U.S. Rep. John Burton (D-Calif.)[70] | ✔ | |
| Former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell[71] | ✔ | |
| Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (R)[72] | ✔ | |
| Former President Barack Obama (D)[73] | ✔ | |
| Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa[74] | ✔ | |
| Organizations | ||
| ACLU California Action[75] | ✔ | |
| Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region[76] | ✔ | |
| California Faculty Association[77] | ✔ | |
| California Labor Federation[78] | ✔ | |
| California League of Conservation Voters[79] | ✔ | |
| California Teachers Association[80] | ✔ | |
| Climate Hawks Vote[81] | ✔ | |
| Democratic Party of California[82] | ✔ | |
| Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles[83] | ✔ | |
| Equality California[84] | ✔ | |
| Green Party of California[85] | ✔ | |
| Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association[86] | ✔ | |
| Human Rights Campaign[87] | ✔ | |
| Jewish Democratic Council of America[88] | ✔ | |
| Libertarian Party of California[89] | ✔ | |
| Los Angeles Business Council[90] | ✔ | |
| NARAL Pro-Choice California [64] | ✔ | |
| Peace and Freedom Party[91] | ✔ | |
| Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California [64] | ✔ | |
| Republican Party of California[92] | ✔ | |
| Socialist Equality Party[93] | ✔ | |
| Valley Industry & Commerce Association[90] | ✔ | |
Candidate endorsements
This section will list media, elected officials, individuals, and organizations that endorse a specific candidate.
| Noteworthy endorsements | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Paffrath (D) | Cox (R) | Elder (R) | Faulconer (R) | Gaines (R) | Jenner (R) | Kiley (R) |
| Newspapers and editorials | |||||||
| The Bakersfield Californian[39] | ✔ | ||||||
| Los Angeles Daily News[42] | ✔ | ||||||
| Los Angeles Times[43] | ✔ | ||||||
| Orange County Register[47] | ✔ | ||||||
| RedState[94] | ✔ | ||||||
| The Santa Clarita Valley Signal[52] | ✔ | ||||||
| Elected officials | |||||||
| U.S. Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R-Texas)[59] | ✔ | ||||||
| U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)[95] | ✔ | ||||||
| U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.)[96] | ✔ | ||||||
| U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.)[97] | ✔ | ||||||
| Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Sen. Patricia Bates (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Sen. Shannon Grove (R)[99] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Sen. Brian Jones (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Sen. Jim Nielsen (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Sen. Melissa Melendez (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Frank Bigelow (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Jordan Cunningham (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Megan Dahle (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Laurie Davies (R)[100] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Heath Flora (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Tom Lackey (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Devon Mathis (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Janet Nguyen (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Thurston Smith (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| State Asm. Randy Voepel (R)[98] | ✔ | ||||||
| San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson[101] | ✔ | ||||||
| Santa Barbara County Supervisor Bob Nelson[97] | ✔ | ||||||
| Individuals | |||||||
| Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani[102] | ✔ | ||||||
| Recall organizer Orrin Heatlie[103] | ✔ | ||||||
| Talk radio host Hugh Hewitt[104] | ✔ | ||||||
| Former state Asm. Dov Hikind (D-N.Y.)[105] | ✔ | ||||||
| Political commentator Megyn Kelly[106] | ✔ | ||||||
| Political commentator Tomi Lahren[107] | ✔ | ||||||
| Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (R)[72] | ✔ | ||||||
| Actress Rose McGowan[108] | ✔ | ||||||
| Actor Chuck Norris[109] | ✔ | ||||||
| Former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose (R)[110] | ✔ | ||||||
| Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steel[97] | ✔ | ||||||
| Former state Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Calif.)[111] | ✔ | ||||||
| Former football player Herschel Walker (R-Ga.)[112] | ✔ | ||||||
| Organizations | |||||||
| American Independent Party[113] | ✔ | ||||||
| Republican Party of California[114][115] | No endorsement | ||||||
| California College Republicans[116] | ✔ | ||||||
| California Republican Assembly[117] | ✔ | ||||||
| California Rifle and Pistol Association[118] | ✔ | ||||||
| Crime Victims United[119] | ✔ | ||||||
| Lincoln Club of Orange County[120] | ✔ | ||||||
| Republican Party of Orange County[121] | ✔ | ||||||
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaign committees and individual candidates are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Recall question
The ads below are organized by whether the ad is in support or opposition to the recall question.
Opposition ads
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Support ads
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Recall candidates
The ads below are organized by whether they support or oppose a particular candidate in the recall election. If you are aware of any ads released by support committees that should be included here, please email us.
Kevin Paffrath
Paffrath did not release any campaign ads.
John Cox
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Larry Elder
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Kevin Faulconer
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Ted Gaines
Gaines did not release any campaign ads.
Caitlyn Jenner
Let’s start winning again California! pic.twitter.com/zO7BkTeisj
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) September 3, 2021
Kevin Kiley
Kiley did not release any campaign ads.
Debates and forums
August 25, 2021
The San Francisco Chronicle and KCRA hosted a debate at the KCRA Studios in Sacramento. John Cox (R), Kevin Faulconer (R), Kevin Kiley (R), and Kevin Paffrath (D) participated. KCRA anchor Gulstan Dart moderated the debate.[122] See below for a full video of the debate:
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August 19, 2021
Inside California Politics hosted a debate at the KRON Studios in San Francisco. John Cox (R), Kevin Faulconer (R), and Kevin Kiley (R) participated. The co-hosts of the weekly Inside California Politics show—KTLA anchor Frank Buckley and KTXL anchor Nikki Laurenzo—moderated the debate.[123] See below for a full video of the debate:
August 17, 2021
The Sacramento Press Club, the Sacramento Bee, and CapRadio hosted a debate at the Guild Theater in Sacramento. John Cox (R), Kevin Faulconer (R), and Kevin Kiley (R) participated.[124] According to Politico, both Larry Elder (R) and Caitlyn Jenner (R) chose not to participate because Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was not present.[125] See below for a full video of the debate:
August 4, 2021
A debate took place at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda. John Cox (R), Kevin Faulconer (R), Kevin Kiley (R), and Doug Ose (R) participated. The debate was televised on Fox 11 Los Angeles.[126] See below for a full video of the debate:
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April 7, 2021
On April 7, 2021, the Sacramento Press Club held a discussion about the recall campaign with representatives from both sides. Ace Smith represented the Newsom team and Anne Dunsmore represented the recall campaign.[127] The full video of the discussion is embedded below.
Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
Kevin Paffrath
Campaign website
Paffrath's campaign website stated the following:
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1. NO Homeless on Our Streets within 60 Days.
2. Massively Reducing Crime through New Community-Style Policing & Integration with Future Schools.
3. Future Schools & $2,000 PER MONTH for Each Attendee over 18.
4. Making Housing Affordable.
5. Ending Bad Traffic with Better Roads, that also Pay Us.
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| —Kevin Paffrath’s campaign website (2021)[129] | ||
John Cox
Campaign website
Cox’s campaign website stated the following:
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Address Homelessness Make California More Affordable Slash Taxes Open Our Schools Reopen Our Economy Lower the Cost of Energy and Make it More Reliable |
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| —John Cox’s campaign website (2021)[130] | ||
Larry Elder
Campaign website
Elder’s campaign website stated the following:
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I am in it to win it. Our first task…recall our arrogant governor, Gavin Newsom. Newsom imposed the most restrictive COVID mandates in the country— and then proceeded to ignore them when it came to him. Californians lost their jobs, their businesses. Kids lost a full year of in-school education, all in defiance of the very science that Newsom and his cohorts said they would follow. I will make clear that I am the man to replace him. I’m a native Californian, but I grieve at what’s happening to the state… And, I’ve got common sense, something sadly lacking in Sacramento, especially under this smug, corrupt governor. This is a change of heart for me. I subscribe to the Walter Cronkite philosophy. I’d love to serve. I’d hate to have to run. I just don’t believe I have the stomach, the temperament, the personality, the drive, the willingness to deal with these “doofi” in Sacramento for the next four years of my life. Have I exhausted all of my excuses yet? Newsom has made those excuses irrelevant. Here’s why I’ve done a 180. Newsom and his cohorts are destroying a state that was once a beacon of hope and prosperity, A state once admired for its public schools, its dynamic economy, and, above all, its people who strive for racial harmony, pursuing a common cause. Newsom and his cohorts are literally dismantling, brick by brick, the very virtues and values that made California great. He’s surrounded by an army of radicals for whom climate change is a religion— and growth and development a villain. Because of their fierce opposition to growth, the average home in California costs 150% more than the national average. Because of their radical environmentalism, they oppose building the infrastructure necessary to supply consistent energy and water to a population of 40 million, leaving us with a crumbling system built in the ‘70’s to support a population twice that size. Crime. Homelessness. The outrageous cost of living and Newsom’s arrogance in handling COVID with headstrong mandates that imposed the most severe lockdown of all 50 states. Ignoring science, he caved to the demands of the teachers unions, while still paying teachers, kept kids out of school while sending his to private schools. And the radicals’ assault on public safety demonizes police officers trying to do their job. Firefighters risk their lives fighting infernos made more frequent and deadly because of poor state land management. The Sacramento elite enables criminals by allowing them to avoid conviction and incarceration. I will never sacrifice public safety just to appease a corrupt minority that chants “defund the police” and that falsely accuses police officers of “systemic racism.” But Newsom and his cohorts will. I will never surrender the safety of the streets to the insanity of “no cash bail.” But Newsom and his cohorts will. I will never approve releasing 20,000 prisoners under a covid “early release” program, knowing too many will re-offend. But Newsom and his cohorts—well they just did. I will work for a fair and firm bail policy. You see, when you reduce the chances of a criminal being caught, convicted and incarcerated— Guess what? Crime goes up. This isn’t rocket science. It’s just common sense. And I will never sacrifice the dreams of just one California child to appease teachers unions, who denounce parents and families as “white supremacists” simply because they want their kids back in school. I will never support taxpayer funded schools that indoctrinate children with hate… That teach white kids are “oppressors”… And black kids are “victims”? What happened to judging each other on the content of their character. You see, our national motto is e pluribus unum—out of many, one! And I believe that with all my heart and soul! The first step on the journey from poverty to the middle-class is education. How bad are the schools? Well, it’s as if you opened a restaurant, hung a sign outside saying, “come on in—just don’t eat the food.” I mean, without decent schools there can be no “equity,” The radical’s favorite word! The answer, school choice. Let the money follow the child. We have choice in higher education, why not in K-12? Well, it’s because the powerful teachers’ unions literally own Newsom. I will literally fight for charter schools that so terrify Newsom and his cohorts. My dad came to California back in 1945. He worked two full-time jobs cleaning toilets, before opening up a small restaurant that he ran into his 80’s. My dad believed hard work would achieve the California dream— you know, earning a living, Raising a family, owning a home. My father, a World War II marine vet, was born in Athens, Georgia, in the Jim Crow south, at the beginning of the great depression. He never even knew his biological father, but he did not use that as an excuse. My parents scrimped, saved. He and my mom raised three boys. Believe it or not, on my father’s income, my mom was able to be a stay-at-home mom, until my youngest brother, Dennis, went off to middle school. I just checked with Zillow, and the home my dad bought in south-central—which is still in the family—is now worth $600,000. Good news for my family, but an absolute disaster for anybody trying to follow the same path that led my dropout dad into the middle class. I am a Pico/Union, South-Central boy. I walked those hard streets. My two brothers and I were motivated by the dreams and goals of my mother and my father—who always taught us this great truth: Hard work wins. You get out of life what you put into it. You cannot control the outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. And finally, my parents taught us that no matter how hard we worked, how good we were, how we deal with bad things that happen will define our character. But their California, well it’s fading fast. The way to restore optimism is to end Newsom’s anti-growth policies that drive up the cost of housing. And even if you’re lucky enough to own a home, crime is way up, especially in urban areas. And your public schools will under-perform compared to the rest of the nation, despite more and more money spent on education. I have a newsflash for Newsom: Herding the homeless in barracks or hotels is simply warehousing our brothers and sisters who need true compassion to return them to self-sufficiency. Religious institutions and nonprofits are ready, willing, and able to deal with the underlying problems of homelessness in a compassionate way. Government should empower, not impede them. California is the worst state in which to do business. Why? High taxes, over-regulation, poor public schools and hostility to job-creating small business. Now let me tell you what I will do. I will always be with you. If you can’t go into a restaurant, neither will I. If you must wear a mask, so will I. I will never use my emergency powers to confine and control any Californian without a clear, science-based explanation. We are adults who can think for ourselves and do not need to be pushed around by an arrogant governor. Now, the rap on me, is that I have no experience in government. And your point is? Gavin Newsom, is a career politician from “central casting,” who has quote, unquote, government experience. And he is a complete disaster! I made it from south central, Los Angeles, to an Ivy League university in New England, then a first rank law school in Michigan, became a successful trial attorney in Ohio where I also ran a small business for 14 years, before returning to California. For nearly 30 years I’ve hosted a Los Angeles-based radio show, now nationally syndicated in over 300 markets. Nearly 1.5 million people have listened to me – and I to them — every day for years. I’ve learned. I’ve listened. I’ve debated. I’ve heard. And I’ve grown. And I love this state. And I know you do, too. And that is why we’re still here. That is why I want you to stay here, and to build your family. But to do so, we need to take this state back. You see, I want a government that can at least keep people and property safe. In the coming days, I will outline my plans, ideas and goals. Newsom brags about a surplus, never mind the nearly trillion dollars in unfunded pensions. You see, if California were a corporation, the securities and exchange commission would go after Newsom for fraud. Californians can connect the dots between his extremist policies and…failing schools; Brown-outs, Violent crime, Deadlier and deadlier “fire seasons,” Homelessness, Businesses leaving the state and taking their jobs with them. And especially the rising cost of living. Imagine. Why are people leaving a state, once the envy of the world, with unrivaled climate, mountains, beaches, deserts forests? We have it all, but Gavin Newsom has declared war on the middle class. Californians know we can do better. The problem is Gavin Newsom, our arrogant out-of-touch governor, has got to go. And I hope that I will be the person you choose to be his successor. Don’t feel bad for him. He can always retreat to his winery, you know, the one that remained open during the pandemic. The man has got to go! Let’s do this together, because we have a state to save. [128] |
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| —Larry Elder’s campaign website (2021)[131] | ||
Kevin Faulconer
Campaign website
Faulconer’s campaign website stated the following:
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WILDFIRES: LIVES, HOMES AND PROPERTY HELPING OUR HEROES SAVE CALIFORNIA RESTAURANTS PLAN TAX CUT PLAN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS REFORM CALIFORNIA’S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE RESPECTING YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK CLEANING UP OUR COMMUNITIES RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY PUTTING KIDS AND TEACHERS FIRST CLASSROOM EDUCATION SHOULD BE NORM, NOT EXCEPTION ACCESSIBLE WATER TO ALL CALIFORNIANS |
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| —Kevin Faulconer’s campaign website (2021)[132] | ||
Ted Gaines
Campaign website
Gaines’ campaign website stated the following:
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My family came to California in 1853 and flourished in the rough-and-tumble Gold Rush economy. I’m forever thankful for this state and I’m fully committed to a future as bright as our past. But we are so far removed from the freewheeling environment that attracted the dreamers of ’49. California could not have a Gold Rush today. Government would choke it off immediately, regulate and tax it out of existence. Why is that the case? I served in the legislature for many years and although I typically disagreed with the Democrat majority, I knew them personally and know they acted in good faith. But it’s time to step back and look at the effects of the policies coming out of Sacramento, not just their intentions. Has California government made the state more affordable? Safer? More livable? Has it lifted up our most vulnerable? Has it provided the basic infrastructure we need at a reasonable price? For someone who loves this state, who is a father of six children who all live here and seven grandchildren (four born this year!), it breaks my heart to say the answer to those questions is, without a doubt, “NO.” I want a “YES” California. A California where families can buy homes, take vacations, save for retirement and for their kids’ educations. Where we can all be safe, free, and prosperous. A state that is confident and plans and builds for the future. We have the most beautiful state in the union, and we should match it with the best government. As Governor, I will be open to all ideas and committed to working with everyone sincere in their efforts to improve our state. Here are some ways I will restore the freedom and promise that made California an unrivaled destination for builders and creators from around the country and the world. Proposition 13: I want stability for families and seniors so they can plan for the future. I don’t want a return to the days of property tax sticker shock that forced people out of their homes. That’s why Prop. 13 is so important. I was an straight-A rated legislator by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and will defend and protect Proposition 13 and crush any attempts to increase property taxes. Tax Increases: In Sacramento, it’s too easy to see every problem as not enough money and every solution as higher taxes. But we need to move beyond that tired model. It hasn’t worked well for our state. For too long, Californians have paid some of the highest taxes but gotten some of the worst services and results. Before we even consider another tax increase, we need to exhaust other avenues to make government more efficient and responsive to taxpayer needs. We need to review all of our spending to make sure we aren’t forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for wasteful or frivolous programs. We need to look for low-cost solutions to our problems and remember that every dollar government spends is earned by – then taken from – a taxpayer. We need to treat every tax dollar with the greatest respect. It’s for those reasons that I will oppose new taxes. Government growth has put a heavy burden on our families and I want to lighten that load. I will defeat all new tax increase efforts and push affordability so middle-class families are not priced out of our state. Gas Tax: We have a chance to turn that around though, by altering some of the state’s labor and environmental rules to make road building here faster and more affordable. Our costs to build and maintain roads are way out of line with most other states, but that is a policy problem that can be addressed in Sacramento. High gas taxes also punish our poorest Californians, who spend more of their incomes on necessities. They are hard on commuters who might not be able to simply pull up stakes and move closer to their work. They hurt rural Californians who might be driving 45 minutes to see their doctor or to get to a grocery store. The gas tax is mercilessly regressive. That’s why I’ll repeal our highest-in-the-nation gas tax and use the state’s overflowing general fund to rebuild our once-great road system without crushing our working families. Public Safety: I’m sure most people have seen the viral videos of open, broad-daylight crime in our state. These brazen crimes tell me that some of our policies, even if they are well intentioned, are creating the wrong environment. One that tells criminals they can operate without consequence. That sentiment will rot a society quickly and it must be stopped. That’s why step one to a safer California must be holding criminals accountable. I will overturn Prop. 47 to make our cities, neighborhoods, and businesses safer. I will always support law enforcement, who are risking their lives to protect us and our property. Instead of defunding police, I’ll strive for “re-funding the police,” so they have the tools, training, and personnel needed to enforce our laws. I won’t take guns away from law-abiding citizens while putting 70,000 felons back on our streets. I will never lose sight of the trauma suffered by victims and their families. That will be a start. But I will also invest in reintegration and rehabilitation programs for released inmates so they can more easily re-enter society productively and have a lower likelihood of committing additional crimes. Housing: We need to build vastly more housing. The good news is, we can do it! Homebuilders obviously want to build more homes. Homebuyers are desperate for affordable homes. The building trades are happy to have work that sustains their members and supports families. We just need to give them a helping hand. One important step we can take is to lower the cost of construction. We might not be able to change the cost of lumber but government can act to remove some of the cost drivers it’s forced onto housing in past years. As Governor, I will slash costly regulations and cap fees that push housing prices out of reach for young families. I will unleash a building boom that promotes housing affordability. I want people to know that they can build a future in this state without spending half of their incomes on housing. Homelessness: This issue is one of the most challenging for our state. Many of the homeless are not simply lacking housing but have mental health or substance abuse issues. We’ve seen and heard of seemingly random, violent attacks from transients on others around the state. Ending homelessness is not just a question of putting a roof over someone’s head – there are other problems that must be addressed to ensure long-term improvements in their lives and in our public spaces. I’ve come to believe that an entirely voluntary approach is a failure. For many homeless, coercion will be necessary to get them help and integrated back into society and living the lives that they deserve. Our current homeless crisis, with tens of thousands living without shelter, without medical treatment, without mental health services, is inhumane. To look at the streets of San Francisco or Los Angeles is to know that merely inviting this population to use these services, is inadequate. I will ensure homeless get off streets through humane, mandatory treatment. Energy: And we can make it affordable, too. Our residential electricity rates have risen dramatically as we’ve worked to integrate more renewable energy into our power grid. Even if that is a worthy goal, it should not be our only goal. We need to be cost-competitive with other states so our energy-intensive businesses will stay home and provide jobs right here. We need relief to families who are paying more and more of their budgets for this basic good. I will support reliable, affordable, and abundant energy so we don’t suffer blackouts and create energy poverty. Immigration and Border Security: In my years of meeting with constituents up and down the state, I have rarely been as inspired as when I have visited with immigrants and heard their stories. Just this year I met with a man whose family had lost everything in his home country, who fled on a boat that was adrift at sea for days before being rescued and finally making his way to America, then California, as a refugee. He and his family had nothing. They crammed into a studio apartment and started picking up paper and other recyclable material off the street for extra money. Decades later, he owns a massive recycling company and is wealthy man. Only in America! God bless him and his family for their work and success. California is home to more immigrants than any other state and Silicon Valley is brimming with the world’s technology talent. We have thousands and thousands of success stories here and I look forward to many more in the future. But our immigration system has problems that we must address. Our border is in crisis and not enough is being done federally to control who enters our country. Illegal drugs such as Fentanyl flow freely across the border and ruin lives as they fall into the hands of users. Policy should decide who and what enters the United States, not a lack of enforcement. I will authorize all available state resources to the border to aid the federal government in border control. I welcome all immigrants who come here legally, but as Governor, I will end Sanctuary Cities and deport dangerous criminals here illegally. Wildfires: This is not a problem that will be solved quickly, even with the best policies and implementation. There are simply too many acres that need to be treated, but I will make massive forest thinning and improved management a top priority to prevent damaging wildfires. I will make it a top priority to harden the wildland-urban interface to protect homes and provide the most safety for our efforts. I will also reward homeowners who create adequate defensible space around their homes. Vehicle Registration: I have spent my career trying to get more money back into taxpayer pockets. Sometimes it’s not one big cost that’s the burden, but many smaller costs that add up. This is a great example of a smaller area where better policy could help create a more affordable California. I will lower car registration to $40 every-other-year on all vehicles while fully funding public safety. Voting: I want reasonable safeguards to protect that tradition of fair and free elections, for everyone in California. We should be fanatical about our voter rolls, ensuring they are up to date before every election. Voting should require a valid ID – provided at no cost to the voter – so that poll workers can ensure no fraudulent votes are cast. We all win when we have faith in our elections. I will ensure election integrity and require Voter ID to prevent fraud. Water: When I was in the legislature, I successfully fought to get more than $3 billion for new water storage into our state water bond. But the projects identified in that bill, notably Sites Reservoir, have not gotten the bond money they need to finish construction. Droughts are natural, but water shortages aren’t. Adequate water storage lets us bank water in wet years to use in dry years. Wouldn’t it be nice to have Sites Reservoir available to meet our needs this summer, when the state is asking us to cut back our water use? We should say “YES!” to building more dams, freeways, airports, bridges and on and on down the line, so we leave a legacy of useful, first-class infrastructure for generations to come. I will fight for new water storage such as Sites Reservoir so suburban families can water the lawns where their kids play, and farmers can have every drop they need. High-Speed Rail: With our high-speed rail, never before have so many, paid so much, for so little. This project failed every test of good governance when it passed out of the legislature to the ballot and has only gotten worse from there. Almost all trips in California are taken in automobiles on roads. Let’s build the world’s best road and freeway system to meet the actual needs of California travelers. California: |
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| —Ted Gaines’ campaign website (2021)[133] | ||
Caitlyn Jenner
Campaign website
Jenner’s campaign website stated the following:
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Cutting Regulations: In fact, California has so many regulations that it would take an average person more than 29 weeks to read every regulation – if they dedicated a forty-hour week to doing so! That’s right, our state government has dedicated more than 21.2 million words to regulating our families, our businesses and our lives. If the sheer volume of regulations was not enough, Gavin Newsom and his special interest allies have created a culture of guilty until proven innocent – putting the burden of proof on the very people, job creators and businesses that keep our economy moving. No wonder families are struggling, small businesses are closing, and large businesses are heading out of state. It’s time for a change. As your Governor, I will establish a working group to review all state regulations and recommend changes and elimination of any regulation that has outlived its usefulness, is contradicted by another state regulation, or is overly restrictive to the people and businesses of this state. Further, I’ll immediately call on legislative leaders from both parties to enact a new sunset law that requires every state regulation to be reviewed and renewed every ten years – or it is automatically eliminated. This kind of regular review will force an open, transparent dialogue about each regulation, its intent, its purpose and its implementation. It has been a long time since a Governor of this state stood up for you. That is about to change. Leading the COVID Recovery: We’re all in this fight together. As both blue state and red state Governors across the country have shown leadership, responsibility and results in the face of a global pandemic, California has struggled. Gavin Newsom has put politics ahead of science, special interest ahead of students, ambition ahead of safety and his campaign ahead of your personal and economic health. Historically challenging times have brought leaders of both parties together to put aside their differences for the common good. That didn’t happen in Sacramento where fresh ideas, different perspectives and offers of assistance are ridiculed if they don’t come from the furthest fringes of the far left. That must change. Commonsense Democrats and Republicans remain closer together than the tiny, but loud, fringe elements of either party and it is time to welcome a dialogue from all walks of life committed to a better California. Going forward, our strategy must be smart, balanced, and consistent with the best scientific data. I will listen to the experts. I will put kids back in school and I will reopen our economy so that small businesses can thrive again. I will do everything I can to protect us from further outbreaks or from another Gavin Newsom lockdown. For far too long politicians have ignored mental health issues but we must acknowledge that isolation has taken a terrible toll on mental health, especially for our children. That’s why it’s so important we get teachers and kids in the classroom again. The consensus is clear: Kids can go back to school. Yet because Gavin Newsom has always prioritized his special interest relationships and campaign cash above our children, he continues to keep schools closed and kids in isolation. Better days are ahead. We WILL get through this. And as we look ahead, we will be much better prepared for the future and much more willing to work together to solve problems. Addressing the Affordable Housing & Homeless Crises: California was once a place for dreams. A place of affordable housing, good jobs, safe communities and endless opportunity. Now we face a real challenge that has been poorly managed, or worse, ignored for years. A high cost of living, tax increases, rising unemployment, poor planning, and the lack of a commitment to veterans and those with physical and mental health challenges has created the worst homeless problem in America. We won’t fix it overnight, but we also cannot ignore real people, with real challenges in need of our help. As Governor, I’ll work with local leaders to remove restrictions and revisit any regulation blocking developers, charities, and others interested in building affordable housing. I’ll challenge our largest, most vocal employers to turn their commitments into tangible investments in their communities by helping build safe, affordable, lasting housing facilities. I’ll unleash the power of our faith-based organizations to do what they do best – help people. I’ll bring together the best experts in America to develop and implement a plan to make California the world leader when it comes to caring for those who have physical or mental health challenges. We’ll make California a place where those who have served our nation in the military receive the respect, appreciation and assistance they need. A state as large as California will always have challenges, but finding a safe, affordable place to live should not be one. In my first week in office, I will appoint a commission of housing, real estate and land-use experts along with local leaders and mortgage bankers to help create short and long-term solutions to the growing problem. But I won’t rely upon this task force alone, my administration will aggressively work with the private sector, not-for-profit organizations and the federal government to identify development and re-development areas, opportunities for home ownership and creative ways to help people secure and keep affordable housing. Putting a Stop to New and Higher Taxes: California has the highest personal income tax and highest state sales tax in the country. Add in property tax, federal tax, local tax, gas tax, excise taxes and some kind of government fee on nearly everything we do. It all adds up to the government taking more and more of your hard-earned money in new and creative ways. In Gavin Newsom’s California your return on investment dwindles while your government continues to take more. Newsom’s Administration is built upon a flawed viewpoint that we provide an endless stream of funding for a government that rarely cuts back, almost never assesses progress and outright rejects accountability. Your government needs to work harder and smarter. It needs to start doing more with less. When I’m Governor, I’ll veto any tax increase. Period. And I’ll make it my mission to make your state government work harder for you. We’ll cut duplicate programs, we’ll streamline spending and I’ll hold the legislature accountable when they try to take more of your money for pet projects or special interest favors. Accountability is not a partisan issue, it’s a responsibility that every elected official in America should embrace. For far too long that responsibility has been forgotten or ignored. I can’t wait to bring it back. My stance on Trans Sports One of the most common questions I get asked about is trans athletes participating in youth sports. It is a hot topic for media and, while it directly impacts just a tiny percentage of Californians, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and that we protect the fairness and integrity of youth sports. That is why my position has been so clear and consistent: biological boys should not be allowed to participate in girls sports. It is a question of fairness. To be clear, I do believe that athletes that have fully transitioned should be able to participate in sports provided they meet all other eligibility criteria as defined by their state, local, league, conference or school rules. As a society, we should always encourage as much participation as possible while maintaining the fairness and integrity of the competition. This is not a new issue. The International Olympic Committee had been working through this issue long before I won the gold in 1976 and have since established a series of conditions under which a male athlete transitioning to female may participate in female sports. It is logical, science-based and designed to protect the integrity and fairness of the games and it is designed to be revisited as necessary to adjust for advancements in medicine and science. While the specific eligibility criteria for junior high sports may not be the same as that of the Olympics, creating a series of criteria that encourages participation and guarantees fair competition is just as appropriate for youth sports as it is for the Olympic Games or Paralympic Games. [128] |
” |
| —Caitlyn Jenner’s campaign website (2021)[134] | ||
Kevin Kiley
Campaign website
Kiley’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Removing Gavin Newsom will not solve California’s problems all at once. He exemplifies those problems, and he has done more to compound than any prior Governor. So the Recall will stop further damage. But to have lasting meaning, the mandate from this extraordinary act of popular sovereignty must be channeled into fundamental changes to our political institutions and political culture. Humility Humility also means focusing earnestly on the core functions of government. I call this a “Back to Basics” approach. Miriam Pawel wrote in the New York Times that California needs “leadership more focused on nonglamorous but essential government functions. A strategy that looked to score runs by hitting single after single, rather than always swinging for elusive home runs. So far that leadership has been in short supply.” As one example, that would mean fewer projects like the high-speed rail, instead attending to our core infrastructure: roads, highways, and bridges that are uncongested and drivable; dams, reservoirs, and levies that are robust and reliable; power plants, grids, and transmission lines that are safe and affordable; forests, parks, and open spaces that are healthy and breathable. The Rule of Law Respecting the rule of law means recognizing both the California and U.S. Constitutions as constraints on what the Governor, the Legislature, or any official can do. It means restoring a proper separation of powers, where the Governor’s job is to implement laws passed by the Legislature. Churning out orders with the stroke of a pen is certainly easier than a legislative process. But our Founders made a deliberate choice that exercising the powers of government should not be easy. As the ultimate safeguard of liberty, they defined those powers as limited, distributed, checked, and balanced—precisely the opposite of California these last 15 months. The Public Interest Changing this dynamic can be difficult to do through campaign finance laws, but it is achievable through a cultural change at the Capitol. That was my goal in becoming the first 100 percent citizen- backed California Legislator by declining all contributions from the Third House. Ultimately, accepting Third House contributions needs to be stigmatized, and that can start with political leaders, like a new governor, refusing to support any candidate of either party who accepts them. Accountability Homelessness is an especially unfortunate example. In 2019, 1,039 homeless people died on the streets of Los Angeles, and the state’s overall homeless population was growing faster than the rest of the country combined. At the same time, we spent $2.7 billion more to address the problem over a two-year period. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst warned more funds would “quickly dissipate” because there was no strategy, yet in early 2020 Newsom wanted to add $1.4 billion in additional spending. I proposed a full audit of where funding was going and what outcomes were being achieved, so that our spending would be informed by data about what would best help Californians transition out of homelessness or avoid it altogether. I was one vote away from getting the audit approved when Newsom pressured three legislators to “abstain.” Citizen Service With the human capital and technology we have available to us, there is no reason Californians should have to put up with substandard service. The Legislature and Governor can work together on a total overhaul of the state bureaucracy: focusing its mission, modernizing its technology, and bringing in new talent with clear performance benchmarks for every agency of government. Transparency It also means insisting on policy to match the rhetoric of equity and social justice. In that regard, what is needed perhaps most of all is comprehensive education reform. A true commitment to equity would involve looking to what has worked in other states to reduce achievement gaps and propel student achievement. The same goes for the cost of living in California, especially housing, which gets worse every year as a result of deliberate policy choices even as lawmakers claim they are addressing the problem. Unity Responsibility As one example, California’s massively underfunded public pension system is not just a theoretical problem; increased payments to CalPERS and CalSTRS are eating into the budgets of school districts, cities, and counties. As another example, no reforms were made to California’s unstable tax structure, despite urgent warnings from Jerry Brown and others, and it led to a historic deficit in 2020. Satisfying immediate political demands has been the way of the Capitol for too long. California needs a new model of political leadership based on durable stewardship of the public interest. [128] |
” |
| —Kevin Kiley’s campaign website (2021)[135] | ||
Noteworthy events
Judge rules that recall election is constitutional (August 2021)
On August 27, 2021, Judge Michael Fitzgerald of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled that the state's recall process was constitutional.[136] Two voters sued Weber on August 14 alleging that the second question in the recall election was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs claimed that the second part of the recall election, which allows a candidate to win by plurality instead of by majority, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution because Newsom could have received more votes (even if recalled) in the first question on the ballot than the winning replacement candidate received.[137][138]
To read Fitzgerald's opinion, click here. To read the full lawsuit, click here. To read Weber's brief filed in defense, click here.
On September 8, 2021, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied an appeal to issue an injunction against the election. Judges Michael D. Hawkins, Paul Watford, and Kenneth Kiyul Lee issued the decision.[139] To read the order, click here. To read the appeal, click here.[136]
Candidates call on Elder to drop out (August 2021)
On August 20, 2021, two other Republican candidates called on Larry Elder to drop out of the race amid allegations of domestic violence. On August 20, Caitlyn Jenner tweeted, "@larryelder DROP OUT NOW. You are not what CA wants let alone what we need. I am the proud father of very powerful, intelligent, successful women. You’re as bad as @GavinNewsom towards women."[140] Kevin Faulconer also issued a statement on August 20: "The only way to truly unite Republicans, Democrats and independents around our goal of removing Gavin Newsom and making California more livable is for Larry Elder to drop out of this race."[141]
On August 19, Politico published an article featuring allegations by Larry Elder's (R) ex-fiancee and former radio producer Alexandra Datig. Datig alleged that Elder brandished a gun at her while high on marijuana in 2015, an event she said was the "culmination of a series of humiliating disputes that made her fearful for her safety and her ability to maintain her sobriety."[142] On August 26, Datig filed a police report alleging domestic abuse.[143] Both the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office declined to pursue the complaint and cited a one-year statute of limitations for misdemeanor cases.[144]
In a series of tweets, Elder said the following in response to the allegations: "I have never brandished a gun at anyone. I grew up in South Central; I know exactly how destructive this type of behavior is. It’s not me, and everyone who knows me knows it’s not me. These are salacious allegations. People do not get into public life precisely because of this type of politics of personal destruction. I am not going to dignify this with a response—it’s beneath me. While my opponents and the Newsom campaign would love to keep voters distracted, I am going to stay focused on the issues that inspired 1.7 million Californians to petition for this recall."[145]
Republican Party of California votes to endorse no candidate (August 2021)
On August 7, 2021, the Republican Party of California voted not to endorse a candidate in the recall election. About 90% of the delegates attending the virtual party meeting voted to skip the endorsement vote and not endorse a candidate. The vote came amid concerns from delegates and party leaders that an endorsement of one candidate would decrease turnout among voters who support other candidates.[115]
Republican National Committee members Harmeet Dhillon and Shawn Steel, who KPBS called two of the most powerful figures in the party, sent an email asking delegates to vote against an endorsement. “The polls are showing that the recall is in a statistical tie, and we cannot afford to discourage voters who are passionate about a particular candidate, yet may not vote because their favored candidate didn’t receive the endorsement,” they wrote.[146]
State party chair Jessica Millan Patterson said in response to the vote, “Today’s overwhelming decision by our delegates to offer no endorsement speaks to the strength of our field of candidates and the outstanding position our party is in going into the recall election.”[147]
Judge rules that Newsom vote guide language can reference Republicans and Trump (August 2021)
On August 4, 2021, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie M. Earl ruled that language submitted by Newsom for the state voter guide could remain. Recall opponents asked the court to remove language referencing Republicans and former President Donald Trump (R), arguing that connecting them to the recall was false and amounted to paid advertising. In her ruling, Earl wrote, "Petitioners fail to clearly and convincingly demonstrate that Governor Newsom’s argument against the recall contains outright falsehoods or statements that are objectively untrue . . . The Court suspects that even Petitioners would acknowledge a large majority of those who signed the recall petition and who support the recall are Republicans"[148]
Heatlie and the California Patriot Coalition sued Weber in Sacramento County Superior Court on July 29, 2021, seeking to change the language in the official voter guide.[149] To read the full complaint, click here.
Judge rules that recall candidates do not need to provide income tax returns (July 2021)
On July 21, 2021, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie M. Earl ruled that recall candidates were not required to provide income tax returns for the most five recent years. Larry Elder (R) filed the suit after Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) did not include him on the official candidate list, citing improperly redacted tax returns. Weber said that SB 27, which Newsom signed in 2019 and required candidates in primary elections for president and governor to provide their tax returns, also applied to the recall election.[150] In her ruling, Earl said that Elder should not have been required to file tax returns at all.[151]
Judge rules that Newsom will not have party affiliation on ballot (July 2021)
On July 12, 2021, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge James P. Arguelles ruled that Newsom would not have his party affiliation on the recall ballot.[152] Newsom filed the lawsuit against Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) seeking to add his party affiliation to the recall ballot on June 28. Weber cited Newsom's February 2020 response to the recall petition, in which he did not file a party preference form, as the reason for leaving the party affiliation off of the recall ballot.[153]
In the ruling, Arguelles wrote: "First, Governor Newsom's failure to designate a party preference will not result in a ballot identifying him as 'Party Preference: None.' Rather, there will be no reference to party preference next to his name one way or the other. Instead, the recall ballot will simply ask whether he should be recalled."[152]
Path to the ballot
On June 10, 2020, the secretary of state's office approved the recall petition for circulation. The signature deadline for this recall was originally November 17, but Superior Court Judge James P. Arguelles extended the deadline to March 17, 2021. Organizers of the recall campaign submitted 2.1 million signatures by the filing deadline.[10] The secretary of states's office found 1,719,943 signatures to be valid - more than the 1,495,970 necessary to trigger a recall election.
On July 1, 2021, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D) announced the recall election would take place on September 14, 2021.[1]
On this separate page you will find:
- Data from the signature collection phase
- Information about those in support of the petition
- Information about those opposed to the petition
- A list of the other recall efforts filed against Newsom
- A timeline of events related to the recall petition
Timeline
2021
2020
Ballotpedia covered 35 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 94 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials.
The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Election history
2018
- See also: California gubernatorial election, 2018
General election
General election for Governor of California
Gavin Newsom defeated John Cox in the general election for Governor of California on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gavin Newsom (D) | 61.9 | 7,721,410 |
| John Cox (R) | 38.1 | 4,742,825 | |
| Total votes: 12,464,235 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Governor of California
The following candidates ran in the primary for Governor of California on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gavin Newsom (D) | 33.7 | 2,343,792 |
| ✔ | | John Cox (R) | 25.4 | 1,766,488 |
 | Antonio Villaraigosa (D) | 13.3 | 926,394 | |
 | Travis Allen (R) | 9.5 | 658,798 | |
 | John Chiang (D) | 9.4 | 655,920 | |
 | Delaine Eastin (D) | 3.4 | 234,869 | |
 | Amanda Renteria (D) | 1.3 | 93,446 | |
| Robert Newman (R) | 0.6 | 44,674 | |
 | Michael Shellenberger (D) | 0.5 | 31,692 | |
| Peter Yuan Liu (R) | 0.4 | 27,336 | |
 | Yvonne Girard (R) | 0.3 | 21,840 | |
 | Gloria La Riva (Peace and Freedom Party) | 0.3 | 19,075 | |
| Juan Bribiesca (D) | 0.3 | 17,586 | |
 | Josh Jones (G) | 0.2 | 16,131 | |
 | Zoltan Gyurko Istvan (L) | 0.2 | 14,462 | |
| Albert Caesar Mezzetti (D) | 0.2 | 12,026 | |
| Nickolas Wildstar (L) | 0.2 | 11,566 | |
| Robert Davidson Griffis (D) | 0.2 | 11,103 | |
 | Akinyemi Agbede (D) | 0.1 | 9,380 | |
| Thomas Jefferson Cares (D) | 0.1 | 8,937 | |
 | Christopher Carlson (G) | 0.1 | 7,302 | |
 | Klement Tinaj (D) | 0.1 | 5,368 | |
 | Hakan Mikado (Independent) | 0.1 | 5,346 | |
| Johnny Wattenburg (Independent) | 0.1 | 4,973 | |
 | Desmond Silveira (Independent) | 0.1 | 4,633 | |
 | Shubham Goel (Independent) | 0.1 | 4,020 | |
| Jeffrey Edward Taylor (Independent) | 0.1 | 3,973 | |
| Total votes: 6,961,130 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Boris Romanowsky (Independent)
- Robert Kleinberger (R)
- Lindsey Neil Shortland (Independent)
- George Konik (R)
- Scot Sturtevant (Independent)
- Ted Crisell (D)
- James Tran (Independent)
- Jacob Morris (R)
- Michael Bilger (Independent)
- Andy Blanch (Independent)
- Daniel Amare (R)
- David Bush (Independent)
- David Hadley (R)
- Grant Handzlik (Independent)
- David Asem (D)
- Stasyi Barth (R)
- Michael Bracamontes (D)
- Analila Joya (Independent)
- Harmesh Kumar (D)
- Joshua Laine (Independent)
- John Leslie-Brown (R)
- Frederic Prinz von Anhalt (Independent)
- Timothy Richardson (Independent)
- Brian Domingo (R)
- Doug Ose (R)
Historical gubernatorial recalls
From 2003 to 2019, Ballotpedia tracked 58 gubernatorial recall efforts against 16 different governors. During that time, two recalls made the ballot and one governor was successfully recalled. Former California Gov. Gray Davis (D) was recalled by voters in 2003. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was chosen as Davis' replacement. The only other governor to ever be successfully recalled was former North Dakota Gov. Lynn Frazier (R) in 1921. In 2012, Wisconsin voted to retain former Gov. Scott Walker (R) in the recall election. He received 53.1% of the vote.
See also
- Recall campaigns in California
- Political recall efforts, 2019
- Political recall efforts, 2020
- Political recall efforts, 2021
- Gubernatorial recalls
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 CNN, "Election to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom set for September 14," July 1, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cal Matters, "Recalling a California governor, explained," January 27, 2021
- ↑ NBC News, "Recall effort against California governor an attempt to 'destabilize the political system,' analysts say," December 20, 2020
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Gavin Newsom and Democrats are dragging Donald Trump into the recall fight," March 16, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Complete List of Recall Attempts," accessed November 16, 2020
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Recall Gavin Newsom? The time is right, GOP activists say," November 26, 2019
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Democrats confront a nightmare scenario in California recall," August 20, 2021
- ↑ CBS 8, "Why Gavin Newsom wants you to leave question two blank," August 30, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Inside Larry Elder’s base — longtime fans, new converts, evangelicals, Trump fans," September 1, 2021
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 California Secretary of State's office, "Recall of Governor Gavin Newsom, Cumulative Statewide Summary as of 04/19/21," accessed April 26, 2021
- ↑ In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "California Gubernatorial Recall Election - Frequently Asked Questions," accessed August 9, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Will your write-in vote in California’s recall election count? Maybe not," August 16, 2021
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Justia, "CHAPTER 9 - Recount," accessed Oct. 16, 2020
- ↑ The governor's ability to call a recount of the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is subject to different requirements, which can be found here.
- ↑ The Hill, "California governor extends all-mail voting through a potential recall," February 22, 2021
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "There Are 5 Governors Being Targeted For Recalls," August 19, 2019
- ↑ Undecided was not included as a response in the polling results.
- ↑ Undecided was not included as a response in the polling results.
- ↑ This poll also included a "would not vote" option that received six percent.
- ↑ Jenner was not included as a specific response in the poll results.
- ↑ This is the response reported as "Others (3% or less)."
- ↑ This is the response reported as "Undecided/refused."
- ↑ This is the response reported as "Another Candidate" and does not contain results for candidates not listed in this table.
- ↑ This is the response reported as "Another Candidate" and does not contain results for candidates not listed in this table.
- ↑ This includes the response of "None" (38%) and the combined responses for 23 other candidates that received support (25% total).
- ↑ Undecided was not included as a response in the polling results.
- ↑ Paffrath was not included as a specific response in the poll results.
- ↑ This includes the responses "Someone else (on ballot)" (4%), "Someone else (not on ballot)" (10%), and "No one/wouldn't vote" (25%)
- ↑ Kiley was not included as a specific response in the poll results.
- ↑ This is the response reported as "Another Candidate" and does not contain results for candidates not listed in this table.
- ↑ This includes the responses "A different candidate" (7%) and "Left or will leave this question blank." (22%)
- ↑ This includes the responses "Someone else" (5%) and "No one." (20%)
- ↑ Emerson reported this response as "Someone else."
- ↑ For this poll, this includes "None of these" (22%) and all other candidates.
- ↑ IGS reported this response as "All others (2% or less)."
- ↑ This option appeared on the poll as "Someone else."
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Cal-Access, "Campaign Finance," accessed February 4, 2022
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 The Bakersfield Californian, "Our View: Vote YES on recall; elect Faulconer to replace Newsom," August 15, 2021
- ↑ Bay Area Reporter, "Editorial: Vote no on Newsom recall," August 11, 2021
- ↑ Fresno Bee, "CA voters should reject Gavin Newsom recall, Fresno Bee urges," August 6, 2021
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Los Angeles Daily News, "Vote ‘yes’ on the recall, Larry Elder for governor," August 15, 2021
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 Los Angeles Times, "Editorial: Wake up, California! Removing Gavin Newsom would be a disaster," August 13, 2021
- ↑ The Mercury News, "Editorial: California voters should reject the Newsom recall," July 17, 2021
- ↑ Nappa Valley Register, "Our View: You must vote in the California Recall election," August 7, 2021
- ↑ The New York Times, "California’s Recall Election Is Broken," September 9, 2021
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Orange County Register, " Vote ‘yes’ on the recall, Larry Elder for governor," August 15, 2021
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Recalling Newsom has major consequences for California. Voters must turn out and reject it," August 5, 2021
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 The San Diego Union-Tribune, "Opinion: Recall Newsom? Vote no on this ridiculous and ridiculously expensive election, then fix the recall process," August 13, 2021
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Los Angeles Times, "Here’s how Democrats, Republicans and others say you should vote in the California recall," August 19, 2021
- ↑ Santa Barbara Independent, "Vote No on California Recall of Governor," August 24, 2021
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, "Our View | Newsom Set Stage for Recall," September 4, 2021
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 Newsweek, "Biden Urges 'No' on Gavin Newsom Recall, Says 'Keep California Moving Forward,'" August 12, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Harris, Pelosi backing Newsom amid recall effort," May 2, 2021
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 ABC 7, "California recall election: Newsom continues 'Vote No' campaign with weekend tour across SoCal," September 6, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "2022 ramps up — BERNIE in NEWSOM spot — COURT rejects RECALL challenge — LA won’t pursue ELDER claims," August 30, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Warren ties California recall to 'Trump Republicans' in latest Newsom ad," July 28, 2021
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 The Sacramento Bee, "Some of the biggest names in the California GOP are staying quiet on recalling Gavin Newsom," May 9, 2021
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 Twitter, "Dan Crenshaw on September 8, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on September 8, 2021," accessed September 10, 2021
- ↑ MSN, "Pelosi: Newsom Recall Is ‘Not Good for Children and Other Living Things,'" August 11, 2021
- ↑ KRON 4, "CA Recall: Peninsula Democrats rally voters to vote ‘no’ on recall," August 28, 2021
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Politico, "NEWSOM hits the trail — DEMOCRATS file ethics complaint against ELDER — LAUSD imposes vax mandate — COSTA defies PELOSI," August 16, 2021
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 64.3 Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, "Joint Release: Reproductive Freedom Advocates Sound Alarm on Extremist Recall Attempt," August 2, 2021
- ↑ 65.0 65.1 KPIX, "Labor, Community Leaders Urge ‘No’ Vote On Newsom Recall At Oakland Rally," August 25, 2021
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Bakersfield.com, "Local Democrats urge 'no' vote in recall election," August 17, 2021
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 KPIX, "Newsom Holds Event in San Francisco Ahead of Recall," August 13, 2021
- ↑ 68.0 68.1 ABC 10, "Gov. Newsom holds 'Vote No' campaign rally ahead of recall election," August 14, 2021
- ↑ ABC 7, "Gov. Newsom ratchets up attacks on opponents in San Jose campaign stop," August 16, 2021
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "California Democrats stay on message in opposing Newsom recall," May 2, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Trump associate Richard Grenell will not run in California recall," July 15, 2021
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 Twitter, "Dave Weigel on September 13, 2021," accessed September 13, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Obama to star in Newsom ads in recall's final week," September 8, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "As list of recall candidates takes shape, Jenner’s in Australia for a TV show," July 16, 2021
- ↑ The Antelope Valley Times, "Coalition of ACLU California chapters announce opposition to Newsom recall," July 29, 2021
- ↑ Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region, "ANCA-WR Supports Gov. Newsom in the September 14 Recall Election," August 25, 2021
- ↑ California Faculty Association, "CFA: NO on Wasteful Recall," July 22, 2021
- ↑ 78.0 78.1 Associated Press, "Major labor unions back California governor in likely recall," June 1, 2021
- ↑ California League of Conservation Voters, "Protect Our Future - Vote NO on the Recall," accessed September 2, 2021
- ↑ 80.0 80.1 The Sacramento Bee, "California’s biggest teacher union votes to defend Gov. Gavin Newsom against recall," June 6, 2021
- ↑ Climate Hawks Vote, "Gavin Newsom," accessed September 7, 2021
- ↑ ABC 10, "California Democratic Party instructs voters to leave ballot question 2 blank | Newsom Recall Updates," August 10, 2021
- ↑ Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, "Statement on Gubernatorial Recall," accessed September 2, 2021
- ↑ Equality California, "Election Center," accessed August 23, 2021
- ↑ Green Party of California, "GPCA Opposes Recall - Endorses Dan Kapelovitz," accessed September 7, 2021
- ↑ Daily Breeze, "Recall Gov. Newsom, and keep the process," August 1, 2021
- ↑ Human Rights Campaign, "Human Rights Campaign Urges Californians To Vote No On Recall Question," August 23, 2021
- ↑ Jewish Democratic Council of America, "STOP THE GOP RECALL IN CALIFORNIA," August 25, 2021
- ↑ Orange County Register, "Newsom is wrong to describe the recall as just a Republican effort," August 14, 2021
- ↑ 90.0 90.1 Politico, "CA backlash to TECH push — PELOSI announces JAN. 6 committee — NEWSOM wildfire defense — KAMALA staff departures," June 25, 2021
- ↑ Peace and Freedom Party, "Peace & Freedom Party opposes recall of Newsom," March 31, 2021
- ↑ 92.0 92.1 Politico, "California Republican Party creates recall endorsement path," July 24, 2021
- ↑ World Socialist Web Site, "David Moore to run as the Socialist Equality Party candidate in the California gubernatorial recall election," July 23, 2021
- ↑ RedState, "RedState Endorses Assemblyman Kevin Kiley for California Governor," July 7, 2021
- ↑ KPIX, "California GOP Still Struggling To Find Governor Recall Strategy," July 22, 2021
- ↑ 96.0 96.1 Politico, "ELDER sidestepping GOP events? — FAULCONER: ELDER 'afraid' to answer tough questions — DEBATE #3 tonight in SF — BASS gearing up for mayor’s run?" August 19, 2021
- ↑ 97.0 97.1 97.2 97.3 97.4 San Joaquin Valley Sun, "Down the stretch come endorsement: Elder, Kiley, Faulconer tout new backers," August 24, 2021
- ↑ 98.00 98.01 98.02 98.03 98.04 98.05 98.06 98.07 98.08 98.09 98.10 98.11 98.12 98.13 98.14 Kevin Faulconer's 2021 campaign website, "MAJORITY OF GOP STATE LEGISLATORS RALLY BEHIND FAULCONER FOR GOVERNOR," accessed July 29, 2021
- ↑ Newsweek, "Larry Elder to Attend Fundraiser Instead of First GOP California Recall Debate," July 26, 2021
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Larry Elder talks politics on the radio. Can he get votes in the California recall election?" July 19, 2021
- ↑ Cal Matters, "Meet Kevin Kiley," August 12, 2021
- ↑ Newsweek, "Gavin Newsom Says Recall Frontrunner Larry Elder Doesn't 'Believe in' Minimum Wage," August 7, 2021
- ↑ CAP Radio, "‘Your Government Is Broken’: Kevin Kiley Launches Campaign To Replace Newsom In Recall," July 12, 2021
- ↑ Larry Elder's 2021 campaign website, "Hugh Hewitt Interviews and Endorses Larry Elder," August 17, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Dov Hikind on July 13, 2021," accessed September 2, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "A radio host, a YouTuber and a guy with a bear. Meet California's top recall contenders." July 27, 2021
- ↑ Instagram, "Tomi Lahren on May 11, 2021," accessed July 29, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Final frenzy — will women save NEWSOM?" September 13, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Larry Elder surges to GOP fundraising lead, but Newsom still lapping recall field," August 6, 2021
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 Politico, "NEWSOM vs. FLORIDA — PELOSI shepherds HOUSE deal — PAFFRATH joins GOP debate stage — OSE backs KILEY — TECH execs sit down with BIDEN," August 25, 2021
- ↑ 111.0 111.1 FOX News, "Former California Democratic Senate leader endorses Larry Elder in campaign against Gov. Newsom," August 25, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Herschel Walker on September 5, 2021," accessed September 9, 2021
- ↑ San bernardino County, "Voter Information Guide and Sample Ballot," acessed August 16, 2021
- ↑ On August 7, 2021, the party voted to not endorse a candidate.
- ↑ 115.0 115.1 115.2 Politico, "California GOP won't endorse a candidate in Newsom recall," August 7, 2021
- ↑ 116.0 116.1 Twitter, "California College Republicans on August 2, 2021," accessed August 4, 2021
- ↑ California Globe, "California Republican Assembly Endorses Larry Elder in Recall Race," August 19, 2021
- ↑ YouTube, "Let's Talk About the Recall," July 21, 2021
- ↑ Youtube, "Crime Victims United Endorses Mayor Faulconer For Governor - KRON-TV," August 26, 2021
- ↑ 120.0 120.1 Lincoln Club of Orange County, "The Lincoln Club of Orange County Endorses Larry Elder For Governor," July 30, 2021
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "Orange County GOP chair endorses Larry Elder for governor," August 17, 2021
- ↑ 122.0 122.1 KCRA, "Recap: KCRA 3 and San Francisco Chronicle gubernatorial recall debate," August 26, 2021
- ↑ KTLA, "3 GOP hopefuls spar over homelessness, climate, immigration and COVID-19 in recall debate," August 19, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Cox served with subpoena, Elder blasted for remarks on women at California recall debate," August 17, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "GOP DEBATE: FAULCONER hits ELDER in absentia — OSE drops out of RECALL race — BONTA to probe GRANT killing — State WATER RULES coming soon?" August 18, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "NEWSOM covid conundrum — BAY AREA vax mandate? — UC tuition hike — FACEBOOK vs. FTC," July 23, 2021
- ↑ 127.0 127.1 Politico, "Newsom adviser spars with California recall leader in first campaign preview," April 7, 2021
- ↑ 128.0 128.1 128.2 128.3 128.4 128.5 128.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kevin Paffrath’s campaign website, “Home,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ John Cox’s campaign website, “Solutions,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ Larry Elder’s campaign website, “Vision,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ Kevin Faulconer’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ Ted Gaines’ campaign website, “Issues,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ Caitlyn Jenner’s campaign website, “Solutions,” accessed July 28, 2021
- ↑ Kevin Kiley’s campaign website, “Roadmap,” accessed August 4, 2021
- ↑ 136.0 136.1 Ballot Access News, "U.S. District Court Upholds California’s Recall Procedure," August 27, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Federal lawsuit challenges California recall as unconstitutional," August 16, 2021
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "U.S. District Court Sets August 30 Hearing in Lawsuit Over Constitutionality of California Recall," August 18, 2021
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Ninth Circuit Refuses to Enjoin California Recall Election," September 10, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Caitlyn Jenner on August 20, 2021," accessed August 24, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Jeremy B. White on August 20, 2021," accessed August 24, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Elder’s ex-fiancee said he brandished a gun at her," August 19, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Elder's former fiancée files police report alleging domestic abuse," August 26, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "L.A. prosecutors decline to pursue gun, domestic abuse claims against Larry Elder," August 27, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Larry Elder on August 19, 2021," accessed August 24, 2021
- ↑ KPBS, "California GOP Nixes Endorsement Fight In Newsom Recall," August 10, 2021
- ↑ ABC 10, "California GOP leaders decide not to endorse any candidate in recall election," August 7, 2021
- ↑ [https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/08/04/newsom-can-reference-trump-in-argument-against-recall-judge-says-1389479 Politico, " Newsom can reference Trump in argument against recall, judge says," August 4, 2021]
- ↑ Politico, "Recall backers try to block Trump mentions from California voter guide," August 2, 2021
- ↑ Election Law Blog, "Court concludes California candidate tax disclosure law applies only to gubernatorial primaries, not recalls," July 21, 2021
- ↑ 151.0 151.1 Politico, "California recall has 46 candidates after last-minute jockeying," July 21, 2021
- ↑ 152.0 152.1 152.2 Courthouse News, "Newsom Loses Party Label in Recall Ballot," July 13, 2021
- ↑ 153.0 153.1 Courthouse News, "Newsom Sues Elections Chief to Get Party Preference on Recall Ballot," June 28, 2021
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "'Eyes of the nation are on you': Biden urges California voters to reject recall and keep Newsom as governor," September 13, 2021
- ↑ KPIX, "California Recall: Larry Elder Campaign Hires New Campaign Manager With 3 Weeks To Go," August 23, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Former Rep. Doug Ose drops out of California recall after heart attack," August 17, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "PANETTA: Recall a ‘roll of the dice’ — PRISCILLA CHAN drops $750,000 on anti-recall effort — TEACHERS must get VAX OR TEST, Newsom to say — PG&E’s role examined in DIXIE FIRE," August 11, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified list of candidates September 14, 2021, California gubernatorial recall election," July 21, 2021
- ↑ LAist, "Who’s Running In Newsom Recall? Politicians, Activists, Californians Of All Stripes," July 18, 2021
- ↑ SF Chronicle, "Will Gavin Newsom appear as a Democrat on the recall ballot? Judge to decide Monday," July 9, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "NEWSOM takes out the trash — TRUMP sues FACEBOOK — SEIU sends NEWSOM $5M? — MCCARTHY balancing act," July 8, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Late Contribution Report: California Building Industry Assocation," accessed July 2, 2021
- ↑ Sacramento Bee, "UPDATE: California Democrats change election rules ahead of Gavin Newsom recall," June 28, 2021
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "It's official: Newsom recall election is a go," June 23, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "SEIU comes through for NEWSOM — HARRIS to address UN — new CALEG COVID rules — HOFFMAN adviser abandons VOTING push," June 23, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "California elections chief: Recall candidates must share tax returns," June 15, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "California local elections officials: Don't hold recall before Sept. 14," June 15, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Campaign Finance:NEWSOM; STOP THE REPUBLICAN RECALL OF GOVERNOR," accessed June 14, 2021
- ↑ Court House News, "California Lawmakers Agree to Reimburse Recall Costs," June 10, 2021
- ↑ Associated Press, "State worker union OKs $1 million to fight Newsom recall," June 3, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Netflix CEO donates $3M to Newsom to fight recall," May 21, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Randy Economy on May 20, 2021," accessed May 24, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Democratic Governors Association spends $500K to protect Newsom," May 15, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State, Cumulative Statewide Summary - Final," May 5, 2021
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Kamala Harris promises White House support for Gavin Newsom in recall election," April 5, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Now it begins: RECALL SIGNATURES in — TEAM NEWSOM staffs up — ANTI-RECALL CAMPAIGN hauls $538K in first 48 hours — Push to oust BOUDIN ramps up," March 18, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Newsom recall organizers submit 2.1 million signatures," March 18, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Warren, Sanders join Newsom to fight 'extremist' GOP recall," March 15, 2021
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Political battle lines form as Newsom recall effort boasts of 2 million signatures," March 11, 2021
- ↑ California Target Book, "Recall Watch," March 8, 2021
- ↑ Deadline, "Newsom Recall Petition Reaches 1.9 Million Signatures With 2 Weeks Left, Say Organizers," March 3, 2021
- ↑ KRON, "‘Recall Newsom’ organizers say goal nearly met," February 25, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Carla Marinucci on February 10, 2021," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑ KGET, "‘Recall Newsom’ effort gains more than 1.3 million signatures," February 3, 2021
- ↑ KQED, "Recall Newsom Campaign Reaches 1 Million Signatures, Proponents Say," January 7, 2021
- ↑ KTLA, "Organizers say they’ve collected more than half the petition signatures needed to place recall of Gov. Newsom on CA ballot," December 13, 2020
- ↑ Times of San Diego, "Newsom Recall Drive Asks Court to Delay Signature Deadline; Padilla Objects," October 29, 2020
- ↑ Times of San Diego, "Newsom Recall Drive Gets New Life: Signature Deadline Delayed to March 17," November 6, 2020
- ↑ California Globe, "New Governor Newsom Recall Campaign Started in California," June 13, 2020
