The process to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom is moving along quickly. A budget for the election now exists, which is less than initially asserted by the opponents of the recall process.
An analysis released Thursday projects the recall election against Gov. Gavin Newsom will cost at least $215 million, less than what elections officials initially estimated but a large enough price tag that local governments across California will need the state to pick up the tab.Legislative leaders quickly seized on the estimate provided by the state Department of Finance as fulfilling a mandate under state law to fully assess the costs of the recall — potentially speeding up by some two months the special election in which voters could oust Newsom from office.
The speeding up of the election draws attention to those involved in the recall process. The previous recall vote of Grey Davis occurred in October of 2003. Most Californians were anticipating a fall 2021 election, which would give Newsom’s opponents time for potentially effective campaigning.
However, the Democrats are now targeting an earlier election. Some speculate that the move is to ensure wildfire seasons (resulting from progressive environmental policies) don’t impact the vote. Additionally, the shorted timeline may prove more challenging to Republican hopefuls.
And while no candidate can officially declare until the date of the election has been set, at least one potential candidate appears ready:
John Burke, a spokesman for Republican candidate and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, said in a statement that “Gavin Newsom’s allies can schedule this election any time they like. Mayor Faulconer is ready and will win regardless.”
Other conservatives in the state decried the move:
“Gavin Newsom and his enablers are changing the rules for the Recall in the middle of the game,” tweeted Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, who is exploring entering the recall election himself. “They cheat in plain sight then wonder why people lack trust in our elections.””This is how elections are fixed in CA,” tweeted conservative attorney Harmeet Dhillon. “Democrats pick a number out of a dark place, announce it, ‘waive’ an election law, & rig an election date around polling driven by governor handing out cash to people he impoverished. We scold foreign countries for corruption like this.”The Los Angeles Times’ John Myers noted that the Legislature may have to pass a revised recall election statute in order to officially waive the cost analysis process. Of course, with a Democratic supermajority seemingly dedicated to Newsom in power, passing such legislation would not be difficult.
California certainly has one giant, dark, and dangerous swamp for a state with three deserts and many beaches.
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