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Did you know that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is running a “shadow campaign” for president in 2024? That’s the growing consensus among insider politicos — even U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has admitted that the California governor is running, but doesn’t have “the guts to announce it.”
But could a new recall attempt and recent poll numbers spell doom for Newsom’s presidential aspirations — and trouble for Newsom at home in California?
A conservative group has launched a new recall effort against the governor, aiming to remove him from office after news that he squandered the state's record budget surplus last year down to a record budget deficit this year — projected to be as much as $73 billion — after approving taxpayer funds for healthcare for illegal immigrants in the state.
The recall proponents are hoping to seize on the governor's latest actions and recent poor polling to gain traction on the recall. An October Berkeley/IGS poll found that Newsom’s approval rating among California voters had hit an all-time low, with 49% disapproving of his job as governor — up a whopping 10 points since February.
Newsom’s approval rating was just 44% — the lowest point ever recorded for him in California and an 11-point drop from February when his approval rating stood at 55%.
Newsom’s support plunged amongst every demographic in California — with drops registered among Democrats, Independents, and young voters.
Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California and a prominent critic of the governor who helped advance the 2021 recall against him, says that the polling is Newsom’s own fault — but urged caution in supporting another recall effort.
“Californians are finally waking up to the reality that Gavin Newsom and the California democrats’ policies are hurting our hardworking families by hiking taxes, coddling criminals, and attacking parental rights — and Newsom has himself to blame because the national spotlight has made it easier for Californians to see what he’s doing and how it’s affecting them,” explained DeMaio.
"And while Newsom absolutely deserves to be recalled, this new recall effort is unfortunately being advanced by a group of paid political consultants who are grifting and just want to make money on contributions and gain notoriety, and it's unlikely to succeed," he continued.
DeMaio says voters had their chance to recall Newsom in 2021, but overwhelmingly rejected the recall and re-elected Newsom in 2022. Newsom is also term-limited and will leave office in January 2027. That's why DeMaio is urging the public to focus their attention and resources on winning competitive, winnable seats.
While some may argue a recall effort would hurt Newsom's presidential aspirations, DeMaio says that current efforts to expose Newsom on the national stage are already succeeding.
According to recent data, if Newsom replaced Biden at the top of the Democrat ticket in 2024, the Democrats may be more likely to lose the White House than if they nominated President Biden or Vice President Harris.
Stack Data Strategy released data and projections showing that if the 2024 presidential election were held today between Governor Newsom and former President Donald Trump, Newsom would lose the electoral college 219-319 — and would lose the popular vote by approximately 1.5 million. In the match-up, Newsom fairs the worst against the former president, with Biden winning the popular vote but getting 246-292 in the electoral college and Vice President Kamala Harris getting 227-311 and losing the popular vote.
“Make no mistake — Gavin Newsom is running for president in 2024 and all of his latest actions prove it,” DeMaio said, pointing to evidence such as Newsom’s debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, increased domestic and international travel, and recent proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to weaken the 2nd Amendment.
“The more Gavin Newsom continues his push into national politics, the more California and the rest of the country sour on his extremist ideas and failed record,” DeMaio continued. "And we can draw attention to his failures while using our time and resources in a smart way to win competitive races in 2024."
That’s why Reform California and Carl DeMaio are leading a campaign to expose and highlight Newsom’s failed policies and corruption — to warn the rest of the country and educate Californians. You can join the campaign at ExposeGavinNewsom.org.
DeMaio and Reform California are also leading an aggressive campaign to flip competitive races and weaken Newsom's support in the state Legislature and on the local level, and why they recently released a list of 24 top target races in California in the 2024 election. DeMaio urges the public to contribute to the fight below.
