Newsom Panics as GOP’s Larry Elder 2 pts Away From Governor

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is pressing the panic button as GOP candidate Larry Elder is within striking distance to become the new California governor. State residents will vote on September 14 if they will recall Newsom.

If the majority say no, Newsom gets to keep his seat. However, if less than 50% of California voters say no to the recall, then Elder holds the greatest chance of becoming California’s newest elected leader. 

RELATED: California Braces For ‘Clown Car’ of Recall Candidates

Newsom Taking Aim At Larry Elder

Polls are now showing that Newsom’s support is gradually weakening in the weeks leading to the recall election. As a result, the embattled governor is now taking aim at the Elder, a popular Los Angeles conservative talk show host. Newsom’s plan of attack against Elder is to paint him as a Trump loyalist. 

During a recent campaign at a Mexican restaurant over the weekend, Newsom fired shots against Larry Elder. “Though we defeated Trump, we didn't defeat Trumpism.

Trumpism is still alive and well, even here in the state of California,” Newsom said. If voters don’t believe him, he asked them to consider. The likely person to take his place if the majority votes to impeach him is the conservative Elder. 

Polls Show Only 48% Of Californians Want Newsom To Remain Governor

To retain his position, Newsom needs at least 50% of voters to say “No” to the recall petition against him on September 14. However, a recent  Inside California Politics/Emerson poll shows that only 48% of voters want to retain him.

Another 46% of respondents said they want Newsom out.  Meanwhile, a CBS YouGov poll also found that Newsom faces an enthusiasm gap. Democratic voters outnumber Republican voters by a wide margin.

However, many GOP supporters are more excited to participate in the recall elections compared to Democrats. Once Newsom receives a majority of Yes votes, the person garnering the most votes as a replacement wins the election. Unlike Newsom, recall candidates do not need to obtain plurality to win the seat.  

As a result, Newsom began sending emails to supporters, requesting them to throw their support behind him. “Now hear this: Larry Elder is just 2 points from being our next governor.

Sorry to scare you, but it's true,” read the email. “If you don't believe me, just consider. The likely person to enter an oath of office, to enter in the governor's office in just a matter of weeks if we don't reject this recall,” he added. 

Elder To Oppose Mask Mandates

Meanwhile, Elder continued to campaign behind his conservative program. He already said he will oppose mask and vaccine mandates if he wins the spot. “This man that I'm going to defeat on September 14, he shut down the state in the most severe way than any of the other 49 governors have.

When I get elected, assuming there are still facemask mandates and vaccine mandates, they will be repealed right away and then I'll break for breakfast,” he told supporters.

Elder said of Newsom. “When I get elected, assuming there are still facemask mandates and vaccine mandates, they will be repealed right away and then I'll break for breakfast.”

“At the state level, I'm not going to require any kind of public worker to wear masks, any kind of public worker to have a vaccine. I think that's an assault on freedom,” Elder added. “I believe vaccines work and I believe that if you're in a high-risk category, you should be vaccinated. But there are many Americans who disagree with me, feel that the vaccine was done too quickly,” he added.

Watch the Sacramento Bee video featuring Larry Elder as he explains why he threw his hat in the recall election:

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What do you think will happen to the California recall elections? Do you think Newsom will get the ax? Will Elder replace him as governor, or will voters choose someone else?

Let us know what you think of California’s recall elections. Share your comments below.