September 15, 2021
I want to focus on what we said ‘yes’ to as a state: We said yes to science, we said yes to vaccines, we said yes to ending this pandemic.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on surviving a recall effort.
- Gov. Newsom was only the 4th governor in U.S. history to face a recall election.
- California voters chose to have him maintain his position; he faces reelection next year.
- Why It Matters: This historic recall election raises questions about what it means for broader national politics. Some suggest California voters chose stricter pandemic policies, the Democratic progressive platform and rejected “Trump-like” Republican candidates. Others say that with Democratic voters outnumbering Republicans 2:1 in the state, it’s difficult to extrapolate further on broader issues. This all matters because the U.S. House and Senate are held by such small margins by the Democratic party; congressional elections take on paramount meaning for the balance of power as we approach the 2022 elections.
by Jenna Lee,
