The organizer of a campaign to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom said that official petitions for the effort will soon be circulated.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Houman David Hemmati, a board member of the recall petition campaign Saving California, wrote that unofficial campaigns on change.org, which have amassed tens of thousands of signatures, were illegitimate and that the official petition would be circulated soon.
Newsweek reached out to Saving California via email for comment.
Why It Matters
California's recall process allows voters to remove elected officials before their term ends, requiring significant public support to move forward.
Talk of a recall petition started as Newsom's political opponents sought to capitalize on the upset over the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles and questions about the state and city's management of vegetation, water supply, and fire budgets.
What To Know
In his X post, Hemmati described the change.org petitions as "total BS," accusing them of collecting emails rather than facilitating legitimate political action.
He clarified that official petitions meeting legal requirements are being prepared and will be circulated as soon as they are authorized.
The three most signed petitions for Newsom's recall on change.org currently have over 80,000 signatures combined. An official recall petition would need 1.3 million verified signatures.
Hemmati stressed urgency about removing Newsom from office, stating that waiting longer would have "massive detrimental effects on the state." He dismissed the possibility of Newsom resigning and argued that a resignation would result in the governorship passing to Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who he described as a "worse" option.
This is not the first attempt to recall Newsom. In 2021, a recall election failed, with over 60 percent of voters opposing his removal. However, campaign organizers believe conditions are now different, and they cite increasing economic and environmental pressures as reasons the recall may gain more traction this time.
Despite challenges faced by past recall efforts, Hemmati expressed confidence that this campaign could succeed due to widespread dissatisfaction over issues like gas and electricity costs, insurance rates, and the state's response to wildfires. He cited support from tech billionaires and lessons learned from earlier attempts as reasons for optimism.
What People Are Saying
Houman David Hemmati, board member of Saving California: "Recall campaigns are actively working on the REAL petitions which must be approved and will be circulated as soon as legally permitted."
Nathan Click, spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, told Newsweek: "Readers still should have the context that the same group of far-right Trump acolytes have launched six different recall attempts against the governor since he's taken office, each of which have failed spectacularly."
What Happens Next
The recall campaign will proceed with the circulation of petitions once they are legally approved. Proponents must collect 1.3 million verified signatures within five months to trigger a recall election.
The campaign's progress and public reception will determine its outcome in the coming months.
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