GOP leaders reverse push for California recall endorsement – KIRO 7 News Seattle

LOS ANGELES – (AP) – Two powerful California Republicans on Friday called on state GOP members to withhold support in the upcoming recall elections that could remove Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom from office.

The California Republican Party has argued over whether to choose a single candidate with its seal of approval from a large field of candidates, including conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman John Cox and former Olympians and reality include television personality Caitlyn Jenner.

In an email from The Associated Press on Friday, Republican National Committee members Harmeet Dhillon and Shawn Steel urged party delegates not to endorse a candidate at their scheduled meeting on Saturday.

With a large field of GOP candidates, they said in the email that the party shouldn’t risk discouraging voters whose favorite candidates may be snubbed. Recent surveys show tight competition.

“The polls show that the recall is in statistical imbalance and we cannot afford to discourage voters who are enthusiastic about a particular candidate but may not vote because their preferred candidate has not received approval,” wrote they.

The email added, “Any of our GOP candidates would be superior to Gavin Newsom. We believe that voters should decide who will be his successor, which not only increases the turnout of those in favor of removal, but also gives Newsom’s successor the best chance of being re-elected in 2022. “

The Dhillon and Steel Declaration marks an about-face as they previously supported an amendment to the party’s statutes that paved the way for possible approval. They wrote in the email that the amendment to the statutes was proposed months before anyone knew how many Republicans would qualify for the election.

The party was preparing for its controversial Saturday meeting on approval. Four candidates qualified for the exam: Elder, Faulconer, State Representative Kevin Kiley, and former Congressman Doug Ose.

In the September 14 election, there will be 46 replacement candidates, including 24 Republicans.

Previously, the conservative Cox accused party insiders of trying to steer approval of Faulconer, a centrist. In protest of what he viewed as rigged trial, Cox said he would not seek approval.

Applauding Dhillon and Steel for the turnaround, Cox said the endorsement threatened to divide Republicans while it chased away independents and other potential callback advocates “if we need all of them.”

“Republican support would just send the message that we somehow agree with Newsom that this is some kind of partisan effort. It’s not, “Cox said in an interview.

The recall arose out of widespread frustration during the pandemic over stay-at-home orders, the wrecking of job losses from shop closings, and long-standing school closings that collectively disrupted the lives of millions.

On re-election, voters will be asked two questions: First, should Newsom be removed, yes or no? The second question is a list of substitute candidates to choose from.

If a majority votes in favor of removing Newsom, the candidate with the most votes on the second question becomes governor.

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