His address to thousands of activists at the California Democratic Party’s annual convention, held virtually, comes on the heels of state elections officials announcing that a preliminary count shows the recall effort against him has enough signatures to make the ballot.
Voters will get the chance in the all-but-certain election this fall to decide whether the first-term Democrat should be booted from office before his term ends. Delegates at the convention are some of the party’s most hardworking organizers, who can knock on doors, make phone calls or provide a cheering section at rallies for Democratic candidates.
“The governor can speak and remind everyone why we supported him to be governor and why he won with an overwhelmingly majority,” said Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a fellow Democrat. To the party activists, Republicans are trying to sabotage Newsom and “that is what will ultimately create the organizational support to defeat the recall.”
CALIFORNIA PLANS EARLY RELEASE FOR 76,000 PRISON INMATE– INCLUDING VIOLENT FELONS
Vice President Kamala Harris also is set to deliver remarks, an exciting moment for Democrats who helped her rise through California’s political ranks, from San Francisco district attorney to state attorney general to U.S. senator, before she was chosen by Joe Biden for his presidential ticket.
The annual gathering, which began Thursday, serves as a forum to debate policy, endorse candidates and otherwise energize party members. With no other major contests on the state ballot this year, Newsom’s expected fall recall election will be one of the highest profile races in California and the nation.
“Being prepared to organize against and defeat a Republican recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom is going to be an important part of our conversation,” California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks said of the weekend activities.
Hicks, just reelected as party chair, said the convention will stay focused on California’s emergence out of the pandemic, including efforts to vaccinate millions of people, get schools reopened and support small businesses.
Newsom’s political fate will depend in part on how people feel about his handling of the pandemic and whether schools and businesses remain open by election time.
Republicans have blasted him over school and business closures, though recent polling shows the majority of voters support his handling of schools and the economy.
FILE – In this Sept. 15, 2020, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and then Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., talk as they asses the damage during the Creek Fire at Pine Ridge Elementary in Auberry, Calif. Harris will address California Democratic Party activists on Saturday, May 1, 2021, her first time speaking at the party’s annual convention as the second highest office holder in the country. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian, File)
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