Gov. Gavin Newsom recall effort more likely with 1.8 million signatures verified ahead of deadline

(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

By Brian Brant

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) The reality that a second California governor could be recalled became all the more clear on Wednesday after the campaign to remove Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced its petition has received the 2 million signature threshold ahead of its March 17 deadline. 

Orrin Heatlie, the lead proponent of Recall Gavin Newsom, celebrated the petition breaking the 2 million milestone.  

"The People of California are speaking loud and clear," Heatlie said, according to Newsweek. "We have cleared another milestone. Politics as usual in California are over as we know it to be."

California officials have begun counting signatures ahead of the Wednesday deadline. 

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber's office reported on Monday it had verified 668,168 signatures so far. At least 1,495,709 signatures, or 12% of the votes cast during his 2018 election, are needed to propel the measure forward.

Among the reasons why critics are supporting Newsom's removal are due to his decisions over the state's coronavirus restrictions, including temporary business closures and only allowing family members to congregate, as well as his stance on immigration and gun rights.

While Democratic strategists said they are convinced Newsom can survive the recall effort, Republican strategists are less convinced.

Democrat Gray Davis was the only other governor to be recalled in 2003.

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow