What is at stake in the California recall referendum

(Chicago, Special for Infobae) – When a few billionaire supporters of former President Donald Trump decided to put a lot of money into trying to oust California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a stampede of candidates to replace it. 135 were presented. Finally there were 46 left on the ballot with which Californians today suffer. They are of an exceptional variety, ranging from a businessman who rented a bear to impress at events to Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympic champion, part of the family of the famous Kardashian sisters, who three years ago chose to be a woman, and they are influenced by Angelyne, Who hands out flyers through the streets of Los Angeles aboard her splendid pink Corvette. There are others more serious and certainly more boring, although the trends mark that Newsom has a good chance of maintaining its place.

The two questions posed to Californians in the ballots are simple: Should Governor Gavin Newsom be removed from office? And if so, who should take his place? 22 million people are eligible to respond. Most have already done so and mailed the ballots or deposited them in one of the special mailboxes spread across all neighborhoods. And if they prefer to do it in the most traditional way, they can also put the ballot in a ballot box in a personal way. Local television says that many Californians still do not understand why they should remove the governor, And for this reason do not vote. Paradoxically, it is what would hurt Newsom the most. Covid’s is hardly mentioned as an electoral factor.

The choice is important. California is the fifth largest economy in the world. It achieved this position in 2017 after a growth of 3.4% of its GDP ($ 127 billion). It was just behind the United States as a whole ($ 19.4 trillion), China ($ 12 trillion), Japan ($ 4.87 trillion) and Germany ($ 3.68 trillion). California surpassed France’s GDP in 2015. By 2012, the Golden State’s economy had surpassed those of Russia and Brazil. It contributes 14% of US GDP and has a per capita income of $ 76,500. A power that requires stability and that although it was already ruled by Hollywood actors, in this 2021 would seem to urgently need the hand of experienced politicians.

There was no specific fact to dismiss Newsom. Initially, Republicans who launched the revocation process did so because the governor had become one of the staunchest opponents of the Trump Administration’s policies. Then they added other causes like the death penalty. But everything at that time was widely seen as an initiative with no chance of prospering. Then, two factors in particular drove the campaign: a judge granted more time to revocation leaders to gather signatures due to pandemic confinement; and the growing frustration among some Californians for health restrictions. Everything reached its peak when Newsom was seen having dinner with a group of businessmen in an expensive and exclusive restaurant in the Napa Valley without any protection by Covid. Newsom had been one of the main proponents of wearing masks and staying home.

From that moment on, it became a tender for the management of the pandemic. The trumpeters they pressed to lift the restrictions and they added adherents when the closure of the schools was prolonged. Also the denunciation of an alleged fraud committed with unemployment benefits due to the pandemic. And from there, many other social sectors like those got on the bandwagon they protest the lack of housing or the high cost of living which is expelling Californians to other states.

Newsom’s Democratic allies denounce that all this hides the true intention of an anti-democratic takeover attempt by the trumpet far right who otherwise would never have seen a Republican elected to California’s most important state office. And they also point out that the fundamental reason for getting rid of Newsom is that has the power to appoint a replacement for legendary Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. That way, another Liberal Democrat would arrive at the Capitol who could block any attempt to boycott President Joe Biden’s government measures.

The campaign for dismissal it is funded primarily by conservative billionaires. Geoff Palmer, a Southern California real estate developer and early trumpet supporter, for example, give more than a million dollars. John Kruger, an advocate for Orange County charter schools who opposed restrictions on religious ceremonies during the pandemic, donated $ 500,000. Also national figures such as Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. I received a large contribution from a Silicon Valley venture fund manager, Chamath Palihapitiya, Who had previously contributed only to politicians and democratic causes.

Opposition to the dismissal and support for Newsom is made up mostly of Hollywood Liberal Democrat millionaires. Netflix founder Reed Hastings donated $ 3 million, As well as actors like George Clooney and Gwyneth Paltrow. Also teachers’ unions, prison guards, health workers and other public employees. And business organizations like the California Association of Realtors and chambers of commerce. Opposition to Newson’s dismissal is also opposed by the editorial pages of major California newspapers: Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle and Sacramento Bee. The main argument they make is that there are no issues of corruption or morality that justify this move that it costs the state more than $ 276 million when barely a year is left for new elections.

The strongest opponents facing Newsom are the former mayor of San Diego, Kevin FAULCONER, Considered a moderate Republican, i Kevin Kiley, Republican state assemblyman and frequent antagonist the governor. the ex-congressman, Doug Ose, He stopped campaigning and declared his support for Kiley after suffering a heart attack. And is Conservative radio announcer Larry Elder who emerged as a favorite almost overnight, taking advantage of the national recognition of his name that is congregating the support of the far right.

California is being hit hard by the forest fires and there are indications that is about to suffer a new wave of Coronavirus in the Delta variant. This election comes at the worst possible time. The unknown is in itself the democratic base, largely majority in the state for decades, he is making the effort to participate and defend his governor or if Trumpist Republicans get the opportunity to rule a state they could not get by popular vote.

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