Written by Bobbie Wylie
Many of those who opposed Governor Gavin Newsom in last year’s recall effort have decided not to run against him in this year’s gubernatorial election. Among those who took their name out of the running: former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Representatives of Faulconer confirmed on Thursday that Faulconer will not be running against Newsom and his push for re-election this year. In a statement, Faulconer said it was “not the right time” to run for governor and “the lingering effects of the circus that unfolded toward the end of last year’s recall make it extremely difficult to relaunch the type of campaign I would want to run.”
In fact, nearly every Republican who ran against Newsom in last year’s recall effort has decided not to run in this year’s gubernatorial election. Newsom beat the recall efforts with over 60% of the vote, so the reluctance of these candidates to run against him again speaks to Newsom’s expected support from the mostly-democratic California electorate.
Conservative talk show host and leading Republican replacement nominee in last year’s recall effort Larry Elder removed himself from the running months ago, and Newsom’s 2018 opponent who also ran in the recall effort – businessman John Cox – did the same recently. Assemblymember Kevin Kiley will be running for Congress and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner is not pursuing another campaign in the Golden State.
Given California’s overwhelmingly Democratic electorate, any Republican facing Newsom has a long, hard road ahead to win over California voters. Newsom’s 2022 opponents include Republican California State Senator Brian Dahle, GOP Navy Veteran Shawn Collins, and independent Michael Shellenberger, who has gained attention for his arguments that progressive governance exacerbated the homelessness crisis in San Francisco.
Photo Cred: AP/ Jae C. Hong
