UNITED STATES
Efforts by Republicans to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom failed this week as voters affirmed their support for the Democrat governor in what was framed as a vote on his state’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Newsom’s critics launched the recall because they opposed his positions on the death penalty and immigration, but it gathered momentum as Californians grew tired of lockdowns and Newsom’s emphasis on mask and vaccine mandates.
Newsom defeated Republican conservative radio host Larry Elder, whom he described as a far-right extremist. US President Joe Biden, former US president Barack Obama and US Vice President Kamala Harris all campaigned for Newsom in California, in what Democrats will hope to repeat in the 2022 midterms.