FAULCONER COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE RUN
Ex-S.D. mayor could be on recall ballot or in ’22 governor race
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer says that he has established an exploratory committee to possibly run for governor, a key step that allows him to begin fundraising. He has signed a petition to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Monday that he has established an exploratory committee to possibly run for California governor, a key preliminary step that allows him to begin fundraising.
The news comes two days after Faulconer, a moderate Republican, announced he would join the nearly 1 million other Californians who have signed a petition to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
If recall supporters gather the 1,495,709 required signatures by mid-March, a recall election would appear on the ballot along with an opportunity for voters to choose a replacement if the recall is approved.
Faulconer has indicated he could be part of that pool of replacement candidates. But the San Diego State University alum also has said he may run for governor in the regularly scheduled 2022 election if there is no recall.
While registered Democrats significantly outnumber registered Republicans in California, the margin is roughly the same as in San
Diego, where Faulconer was elected mayor twice. Republicans make up roughly a quarter of voters in both cases.
But both of Faulconer’s mayoral wins came in lowerturnout primary elections, not in November general elections when turnout among Democrats typically rises.
“No better way to ring in the New Year than taking the first step in turning around California,” Faulconer tweeted Monday morning. “I’m excited to launch our gubernatorial exploratory committee.”
The tweet also featured a picture of Faulconer with the words “It’s time for a California comeback!”
In an email to supporters, Faulconer said, “I’m doing this now to ensure we have early funding to build the infrastructure and team we need as we make our final decisions.”
He also said the exploratory committee gives him options.
“This is an important step as we all look forward to the 2022 election or even a potential recall,” he said.
He also attacked Newsom, who has come under fire for state restrictions that have closed schools and businesses during COVID-19 pandemic.
“Between the mismanagement during key points of the pandemic, the toxic business environment, the shaky economy, the disappearing jobs, the rolling blackouts, the missing unemployment checks and billions of dollars in fraud, and of course the skyrocketing homelessness, I strongly believe we need new leadership in the governor’s office,” Faulconer said.
On Saturday, after Faulconer tweeted that he would sign the recall petition, the Newsom campaign reminded voters that Faulconer supported President Donald Trump and has the struggled with San Diego’s homelessness problem.
The Newsom campaign also noted that a recall election could cost taxpayers as much as $100 million.
Faulconer, 53, served two terms on the San Diego City Council before being elected mayor in a 2014 special election and then re-elected in 2016. His term as mayor ended Dec. 10. Faulconer lives in Point Loma.
If the recall effort is successful, Newsom would be the second California governor recalled. Gov. Gray Davis was recalled in 2003 and replaced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.