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New polling indicates a seismic shift in voter sentiment is occurring in California, and it could spell trouble for Democrat candidates who are perceived as soft-on-crime in the upcoming 2022 state elections.
“The stats all show that crime is skyrocketing in California, and now the voters seem to be waking up and blaming Democrats for their extreme soft-on-crime policies,” said Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California.
DeMaio points to the recent Berkeley/IGS poll released last week in the Los Angeles Times.
In the 2021 Newsom recall election, Covid-19 was the number one issue among voters and was successfully exploited by Democrats to retain the Governor’s mansion. However, the Berkeley/IGS poll shows a major shift in voter concerns away from Covid and toward rising crime in the state — which now tops key voter issues along with homelessness.
The poll also found that 78% of voters say crime has risen statewide, with 65% of voters saying crime has increased in their local area. Another poll by Politico/Morning Consult shows 75% of voters blame the liberal policy of “defund the police” as the main cause of rising crime.
The poll also shows Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval rating is dropping fast, with 51% of voters now disapproving of his handling of crime.
DeMaio and Reform California are taking direction from voters to fix crime with their campaign strategy to win target seats in 2022. DeMaio says they’re using the three key issues of opposing tax hikes, reforming schools, and combating crime.
“Californians just want a safe, clean, stable, and affordable community to live and raise their children in — and liberal politicians like Newsom have neglected the people in favor of criminals, leaving families to suffer,” explained DeMaio.
In combating crime, Reform California has announced three campaign priorities: repeal Prop 47, recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, and put targeted ads in front of voters in swing seats.
Prop 47 currently prevents law enforcement from combating property crimes throughout the state. In the Berkeley/IGS poll, 57% of voters indicated support for a repeal of Prop 47. Reform California is working to secure enough signatures by April 26th to qualify a repeal of Prop 47 for the November 2022 ballot.
The second priority is the recall of Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon.
“Gascon is soft-on-crime and believes in coddling the criminal — exactly the policies that Californians are overwhelmingly rejecting,” said DeMaio. “Taking Gascon out sends a strong message statewide and nationally — every Democrat will be asked whether they stand with Gascon or with crime victims,” he continued.
The third priority is to use crime as a major issue to win so-called “target seats” for Congress, State Legislature, and local government. DeMaio and Reform California will be targeting ads on crime to voters in swing seats to “oppose candidates that will continue the coddle-the-criminal policies that have led us to this current crime wave.”
DeMaio is asking for the help of all Californians so that Reform California can wage aggressive campaigns to accomplish each of these three campaign initiatives.
Join the Fight: Stop Rising Crime in California
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