Governor Gavin Newsom says the multiple recall efforts against him are more about politics than the ongoing public health crisis.
During an interview with KQED Friday, Newsom admitted he's made mistakes in his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but says the calls to replace him are more of an attack on his progressive policies, like his stances on immigration, criminal justice, and the environment. Newsom says he "of course" regrets attending a mask-less dinner with several other people at an upscale Bay Area restaurant last year.
He also admits he could have been clearer in communicating the state's public health restrictions when the outbreak began, and should have prioritized getting vaccines to low-income, hard hit communities right when shots first became available. California's vaccine rollout system saw a massive plummet in poll numbers for Newsom, with 44% of voters dissatisfied with the Governor's latest actions.
State officials are still the in the process of verifying signatures, but there is a general consensus an election will be happening.