California Gov. Gavin Newsom was served recall papers this week as outrage persisted over his handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The group Saving California, led by California resident Randy Economy, delivered the petition co-signed by 105 people, exceeding the 50 signatures required to initiate recall efforts against Newsom. The governor must recognize the petition by Feb. 7, after which California's secretary of state must recognize the measure.
To qualify for the November ballot, organizers will need to gather between 1.2 million and 1.3 million signatures over 160 days.
“Under the reign of Governor Newsom, living in California has become impossible for average people through years of poor policies which have increased the costs of living, increased crime, increased drug use and homelessness, increased the cost of burden on small businesses and communities, while decreasing our professional standards, education standards, the disappearance of billions of taxpayers’ dollars to failed pet programs, and our public services,” Economy said to the Washington Examiner earlier this month.
“While our state was burning, Newsom focused on ‘trump-proofing’ California — spending taxpayer dollars on unnecessary political efforts instead of tackling the urgent wildfire disaster. It’s time for leadership that puts Californians first,” the group posted on Instagram.
In 2021, California voters opted not to recall Newsom when he faced criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020-2021. Newsom easily defeated the top replacement candidate, talk show host Larry Elder, capturing over 60% of the vote.
Newsom’s office dismissed the group’s effort with a statement to the outlet earlier this week saying, “Readers still should have the context that the same group of far-right activists have launched 6 different recall attempts against the governor since he’s taken office, each of which have failed spectacularly. Even Republican Party leaders have criticized these repeated attempts as a brazen campaign finance ‘grift,’ and the recall organizers have been sued by their own donors for pocketing funds raised previously.”
Since the fires first erupted on Jan 7, they have consumed more than 40,000 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures, killed at least 29 people and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes. Early estimates have put the damages at more than $250 billion.