SAN FRANCISCO – California’s Democratic Governor. Gavin Newsom seeks a second four year term. This is less than one year after defeating an attempt to recall him.
In September 2018, 62% of California voters voted No on the recall. This is almost identical to the 62% who voted in favor of John Cox, the Republican challenger, in the 2018 gubernatorial elections.
Newsom, like all elected officials in the state is facing headwinds from the gas price and inflation pandemics, as well as voter concerns about quality-of-life issues such as homelessness, public safety, and gas prices. Newsom’s ads for the campaign were positive. One promoting his “Courage Through Crisis”, where he highlighted California’s resilience. He also promised to keep California’s values in mind, such as diversity, protecting the environment, and following science.
California’s “top 2” primary means that the top two finishers in Tuesday’s election will be facing off in November. It doesn’t matter what party they are. Pre-election polls showed Newsom quickly overcome any remaining unhappiness about his handling of the pandemic. This included the massive mishandling by the Employment Development Department of the federally funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. EDD paid $20 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims, and gimmed up payments to the most in need while investigations were underway.
Republican state senator Brian Dahle, who represents a vastly expanded state senate region that encompasses all or part of 11 rural counties, is his main opponent. He was endorsed by the state Republican Party. He is in line with many of its positions aEUR,” including opposition to abortion. Dahle claims that climate change is not the main cause of California’s wildfires. And he blames voter-approved ballot measures in the recent increase in property crime. Although his campaign slogan, “Restoring California”, may be appealing to 24% of registered Republican voters, it is unlikely that he will win the required percentage to win in November.
Michael Shellenberger is also running. He is a former Democrat and has been very critical of liberal policies on issues such as homelessness, mental illness, and other intractable problems.
Newsom, as the incumbent in a Democratic-leaning state, has enjoyed a huge financial advantage over his competitors. The Newsom for Governor campaign had $23 Million cash in May. Most of this money was raised last year, when Newsom was facing a recall. Comparatively, Senator Dahle had only $392,485 in his bank account at the end May, while Shellenberger had $320,114.
