The most recent attempt to remove California's Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom is moving forward after the Secretary of State authorized signature gathering on Tuesday. A memorandum released by Secretary of State Shirley Weber gave the green light for circulating petitions to recall Newsom.

Conservative activists who were involved in the unsuccessful recall of Newsom in 2021 have initiated a new effort, contending that California's conditions have deteriorated further over the past two-and-a-half years due to Newsom's focus on national politics. Rescue California, a political committee that played a key role in the previous recall effort, aims to oust Newsom before his term expires in early 2027, citing the state's escalating homelessness crisis, high taxation coupled with a significant budget shortfall, increasing crime rates, and immigration concerns.

Rescue California’s campaign director, Anne Dunsmore, said:

Gavin Newsom has abandoned the state to advance his Presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 Billion budget deficit and a public safety, immigration, and education crisis. California needs a full-time governor who is fully focused on the serious problems the state and its citizens are facing. This may be our last opportunity to rescue and restore our state, while we highlight for the rest of the country the destruction Newsom has left in his wake.

In 2021, Newsom successfully defended against a recall effort through a special election triggered by approximately 1.5 million Californians signing a recall petition. This initiative arose from groups of Californians dissatisfied with the governor's statewide lockdown policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

In September 2021, nearly 62 percent of Californians voted against recalling Newsom, allowing him to continue his term in office. Newsom won reelection by nearly the same margin a year later.

Dunsmore said:

We’ve got to do it again because he’s a better governor when he’s under a microscope. We cannot do this trajectory for three more years.

Dunmore said more than 400 Californians are serving as proponents of the recall.

Leading California Democrats swiftly rallied together, brushing off the recall petition as a strategic move by Republicans. Governor Newsom, in a fundraising email, urged his supporters to assist him in preventing “some anti-science, anti-woman far-right conspiracy theorist from becoming governor of California."

In a statement, Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click said:

These Trump Republicans are targeting Gov. Newsom because he is out there defending democracy and fighting for the reelection of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. He’s not going to be distracted from that fight. Democracy’s on the ballot, and he’s going to keep fighting.

Dunsmore attributed the lack of success in the 2021 special election to voters' dissatisfaction with Larry Elder, the radio personality who emerged as the front-runner for a Newsom replacement. She indicated that the outcome might change with a more viable alternative to Newsom on the ballot.

Dunsmore said, "The job now is to find someone who’s qualified."

According to state regulations, supporters need to collect 1,311,963 valid signatures, 180,000 fewer than last time, between March 26 and Sept. 3 to validate the recall. 

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