recall 2021

Medical assistant Letrice Smith fills syringes during a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic run by Ravenswood Family Health Network at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park on April 10, 2021.

Politics

Vax for cash: Newsom offers big bucks for Californians who get their shots

Facing a recall election, Gov. Newsom announces a $116.5 million COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, including a $15 million lottery with 10 winners. Californians who get a shot by June 15 and those already vaccinated can win the big prize.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 27, 2021

Several hands holding bags of cash move toward a recall ballot box.Though California voters may be divided by geography and class, its pro-and anti-recall campaign donors are not. Image via iStock

Politics

Who’s bankrolling the Newsom recall campaigns?

The big money for both sides in the California recall election is coming from the same wealthy enclaves, and not so much from out of state.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 26, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom released his tax returns and called on potential recall candidates to do the same.

Politics

Newsom releases tax return, but will recall candidates?

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom made $1.7 million and paid $712,000 in state and federal taxes in 2019. His campaign says state law requires recall challengers to release their returns.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 17, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom presents the breakdown for his revised budget at the Secretary of State building auditorium in Sacramento on May 14, 2021. The proposal focused on education, housing and climate resiliency measures. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Politics

Three things to know about Gavin Newsom’s spending spree

Gov. Newsom is proposing to spend California's $100 billion windfall on schools, small businesses, homelessness and more, while campaigning against the recall at the same time.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 14, 2021

A recall campaign sign is surrounded by floating cash. As the campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom gets underway, recall supporters have collected more donations but the governor has more ready to spend. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters; iStock

Politics

Recall backers raise more, but Newsom’s side has more cash in the bank

While the governor's opponents have burned through most of the money they've collected to date, his defenders have some $2.5 million in the bank.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 4, 2021

Magaly Colelli, left, owner of Magaly's restaurant talks with Gov. Gavin Newsom and actor Danny Trejo, center, in San Fernando, on April 29, 2021. Photo by Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times via AP/Pool

Politics

Democratic leaders rally behind Newsom to fight recall, but how enthusiastic is the grassroots?

Democratic Party leaders unite behind a message that the recall is a desperate Republican plot that is bad for California. But will progressives and Latinos turn out to vote?

By

Ben Christopher

• May 1, 2021

Gov. Newsom waves to virtual guests during the State of the State address at Dodger Stadium on March 9, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Politics

Democrats have Newsom’s back as recall campaign ramps up

Gov. Newsom kicks off aggressive campaign to keep his job, blaming Trump and QAnon followers for recall effort.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• March 16, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers the State of the State address at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 9, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Politics

Newsom blasts ‘naysayers and dooms-dayers’ as he touts pandemic progress

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Newsom declares that pandemic is nearly over and reaches out to key recall voters.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• March 9, 2021

Recall Newsom volunteer Kerin Kay holds up a sign during a petition signing event at SaveMart in Sacramento on Jan. 5, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Politics

How California’s recall rules could spell trouble for Gavin Newsom

In a recall election, Gov. Newsom could get more votes than his replacement — and still lose his job.

By

Ben Christopher

• March 8, 2021

Recall Newsom volunteer Pat Miller holds up a sign during petition-signing event at SaveMart in Sacramento on Jan. 5, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Politics

Recalling a California governor, explained

Gov. Gavin Newsom is fighting for his political life. He’s working to fend off a recall that began as a far-fetched effort by Republican activists — but has turned into a credible campaign that could throw the Democrat out of office. It’s hard to fathom in this deep blue state where Newsom clobbered his 2018 […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• January 27, 2021

Recall 2021