2 years ago
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recall opponents have opted out of a second round.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer's camp confirmed to POLITICO on Thursday that Faulconer would not contest Newsom’s reelection push this year. With that, every high-profile Republican who ran to replace Newsom in last year’s recall has bowed out of the 2022 contest.
In a statement Thursday night, Faulconer said it was "not the right time" to run for governor and that "the lingering effects of the circus that unfolded toward the end of last year’s recall make it extremely difficult to relaunch the type of campaign I would want to run."
Faulconer’s decision, a day before the deadline for candidates to file, completed a sweep of top recall candidates who declined a rematch. Their broad reluctance speaks to Newsom’s perceived staying power after he crushed the recall by double digits in September.
Conservative talk show and top replacement candidate vote-getter host Larry Elder removed himself from the running months ago, and businessperson John Cox — Newsom’s 2018 opponent — did the same more recently. Assemblymember Kevin Kiley is running for Congress. Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner has not sought a second act in California politics.
Any Republican facing Newsom would face an uphill battle given California’s profoundly Democratic electorate and Newsom’s massive warchest. A Faulconer aide said the former mayor would not run unless he could line up tens of millions of dollars in support — a tall order in a state where dispirited conservative donors often send their money elsewhere.
Newsom’s 2022 opponents will include Republican state Senator Brian Dahle; GOP Navy veteran Shawn Collins; and independent Michael Shellenberger, who has gained attention for his arguments that progressive governance exacerbated San Francisco’s homelessness crisis.
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