- A coalition led by the group Saving California is launching a recall campaign against California Gov. Gavin Newsom, citing his handling of the Los Angeles wildfires, affordability issues, public safety and broader leadership failures.
- The recall push has gained momentum as the ongoing wildfires devastate over 40,000 acres, destroy 12,000 structures and claim 24 lives, with critics accusing Newsom of inadequate disaster response and lack of preparedness.
- Organizers criticize Newsom for rising living costs, crime, homelessness and declining public services, labeling his tenure as a “series of catastrophic failures.”
- Newsom’s administration dismisses the recall as a partisan effort by “far-right Trump acolytes,” emphasizing his focus on wildfire response and recovery.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is once again at the center of a political storm as a coalition of critics launches a recall campaign, citing his handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires and broader dissatisfaction with his leadership.
The effort, spearheaded by the newly formed group Saving California, aims to oust the Democratic governor midway through his second term, accusing him of mismanaging the state’s most pressing crises, from wildfires to affordability and public safety. (Related: Biden defends Newsom and Bass, claims utility companies cut power to water pumps during Los Angeles wildfires.)
The recall push comes as wildfires have ravaged over 40,000 acres in the Los Angeles area, destroying more than 12,000 structures and claiming at least 24 lives. Critics argue that Newsom’s response to the disaster has been inadequate, further fueling long-standing grievances about his policies. Organizers plan to file recall papers within two weeks, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in a state where Democrats hold a significant voter registration advantage.
Randy Economy, a senior advisor to Saving California and a key figure in the 2021 recall attempt against Newsom, framed the governor's tenure as a "series of catastrophic failures."
In a statement, Economy criticized Newsom's policies for increasing the cost of living, crime and homelessness while eroding public services and education standards. "This was most recently demonstrated by the woefully unprepared and incompetent response to the fires currently ravaging the Los Angeles area," he said.
Economy told Newsweek that while plans for the recall were in motion before the wildfires, the disaster has accelerated their timeline.
"It's shortened our time frame and changed things," he said.
To trigger a recall election, organizers must collect approximately 1.3 million valid signatures within five months – a daunting task but one they believe is achievable given the growing discontent.
Dr. Houman David Hemmati, an executive board member of Saving California, echoed Economy's criticisms, emphasizing Newsom's lack of preparedness for wildfires, a recurring issue in the state.
"Wildfires are a common and well-known issue in California. The fact that Gov. Newsom has not been able to come up with any plan or prep after six years as governor and eight years as lieutenant governor shows that he is completely unprepared and lacks the compassion and will to lead California any longer," Hemmati said.
Disaster management just the latest problem facing Newsom's administration
Newsom, who easily defeated the 2021 recall effort, remains a polarizing figure in California politics. His administration has faced scrutiny over its handling of the state’s affordability crisis, rising crime rates and energy policies, which critics argue have exacerbated economic strain on families and businesses.
A spokesperson for Newsom dismissed the latest recall attempt as a partisan effort led by "far-right Trump acolytes," noting that previous attempts have failed.
"The governor is 100 percent focused on the fires, ongoing rescue efforts and the recovery process – not politics," spokesperson Nathan Click said in a statement. He added that Republican leaders have criticized repeated recall attempts as a “brazen campaign finance grift,” pointing to lawsuits filed by donors who accused organizers of misusing funds.
The recall effort also coincides with growing frustration toward Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was in Ghana when the wildfires erupted. An online petition calling for her removal has garnered nearly 130,000 signatures, accusing her of "gross mismanagement" in responding to the disaster.
Watch this clip from Sky News showing California residents furious over how the state's Democratic leadership have handled the response to the devastating wildfires.
This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
L.A. mayor's budget cuts blamed for fire department struggles as wildfires rage.
Newsom's wildfire response focuses on online "misinformation" while Californians suffer.
Adam Carolla lambasts Democrats over handling of California fires, predicts liberals will flee.
Trump demands Newsom's resignation as California wildfires rage: "This is all his fault!"
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