Newsom Recall Effort a ‘Citizen Movement’: Campaign Manager

The recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proving to be more of a “citizen movement.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his 2021–2022 state budget proposal during a news conference in Sacramento on Jan. 8, 2021. Rich Pedroncelli/Pool/AP Photo

The recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proving to be more of a “citizen movement” than the successful 2003 recall of former Gov. Gray Davis, according to a campaign manager behind the movement.

Newsom, a Democrat in his first term, is facing criticism from within his party and from Republicans for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. As of Feb. 7, the recall effort has garnered more than 1.4 million signatures of the 1.5 million required to get on the ballot, while some Silicon Valley players have recently voiced support.