The campaign to recall Gavin Newsom is based out of Newport Beach and needs to reach 1.5 million signatures by mid-March for the recall to be on the ballot. Recall supporters are criticizing Newsom over his response to the coronavirus pandemic, tax increases, and the high rate of homelessness. Organizers of the Petition to Recall Gavin Newsom announced Jan. 5 that they had reached 1 million signatures. 

“Everyone has their own opinion of Governor Newsom, and I think that no one should go after anyone for that belief,” junior Joe Gonzales said.  “Some of the same individuals and groups who were encouraged by California Republican leaders and (who) attacked the people’s house are also engaged in a recall effort against Governor Gavin Newsom right here in California,” Hicks said. Earlier  this week, Rusty Hicks, newly appointed chair of the California Democratic Party held a press conference and commented on the campaign. This recall effort, which really ought to be called ‘the California coup,’ is being led by right-wing conspiracy theorists, white nationalists, anti-vaxxers, and groups who encourage violence on our democratic institutions.” 

“It’s constitutional, it requires millions of signatures to be gathered, and then it goes to an election. That’s not a coup. That’s democracy,” Matt Shupe, the Contra Costa Republican Party chair said in an interview with CBSN Bay Area. This campaign has also received many large donations from various California companies, including a $49,500 donation from the Hoffmann Land Development Company out of Walnut Creek. 

The petition has until March 17 to get the 1.5 million signatures they need to put the recall on the ballot; and Kevin Faulconer or John Cox are potential candidates to replace Newsom. John Cox lost to Gavin Newsom in the previous election and Kevin Faulconer is the former Republican mayor of San Diego.

“I think that it’s fine for people to have their own opinions about him [Newsom)] that don’t match mine, I think that he is trying his best to work with scientists to control COVID-19, but other people view what he’s doing as too much,” junior JJ Savala said.