House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported California governor Gavin Newsom in trouble on Thursday and rejected any notion that Democrats should present an alternative candidate as an insurance policy during Newsom’s likely revocation election later this year.
“I think it is an unnecessary notion. I don’t even think it reaches the level of an idea,” Pelosi said on Thursday during a news conference with reporters.
Pelosi suggested that the recall effort is being funded by supporters of former President Donald Trump and said Democrats should help Newsom stay in office.
“I think the governor will defeat this quite successfully, and we will all help him to do that,” added Pelosi, D-Calif.
NEWSOM’S RECORD EFFORT ORGANIZERS SAY THAT THEY HAVE SHIPPED 2.1 MILLION SUBSCRIPTIONS THROUGH THE TERM
Proponents of the Newsom recall effort needed 1.5 million valid signatures from California residents by March 17 to trigger a special election later this year. The organizers of the effort say they have delivered 2.1 million signatures by the deadline. Election officials have until April 29 to validate signatures for a final count, but the governor acknowledged that the effort was probably successful in forcing an election.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in the center, gestures in front of local authorities when talking about the COVID-19 vaccines at Fresno Fairgrounds, Wednesday, February 10, 2021, in Fresno, California (John Walker / The Fresno Bee via AP)
During a revocation election, voters will answer two questions: Should Newsom be revoked and who should replace Newsom if he is removed?
So the question for Democrats is whether they should put a substitute candidate on the ballot if voters do, in fact, want Newsom to leave. Tom Steyer, a billionaire who ran for president in 2020, is conducting a vote as a precursor to possibly enter the race as a stand-in candidate, Politico said on Tuesday, citing information from three sources.
SE CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM FACES RECALL, TOM STEYER MULLING RUN AS ‘FALLBACK’ DEMOCRAT: REPORT
Democrats suffered a major defeat during the recall of Democratic Governor Gray Davis in 2003, when Republican cinema star Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected.
Democrats were initially united in not presenting an alternative candidate for Davis, but Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante changed his mind and entered the race – sending a mixed message to Democratic voters, the Los Angeles Times reported.
This time, Pelosi expressed confidence that Democrats will succeed.
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“The governor will defeat this initiative, he will continue to be governor and go for another victory in the elections,” added Pelosi.