During a recent California GOP virtual endorsement meeting, the California Republican Party announced that they’ve decided not to endorse a candidate in the recall election.
Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson announced that their decision speaks to the strength of their candidates and the “outstanding position” the party is taking into the recall election. She said on September 14th, voters will finally end the Newsom nightmare once and for all, which will restore some “good governing” to California.
“The polls are showing that the recall is in a statistical tie and we cannot afford to discourage voters who are passionate about a particular candidate, yet may not vote because their favored candidate didn’t receive the endorsement,” the party wrote in an email.
Two committee members, Harmeet Dhillon and Shawn Steel, both urged the party not to endorse any candidates, adding that it could risk discouraging the voters whose favorite candidates could get “snubbed.” They said any sort of endorsements could create a divide amongst Republicans and threaten to drive off any independents or other recall supporters at a time when we need everyone most. The dangers of getting behind a single candidate aren’t worth the risks in a state that are burning, crime is spiking, homelessness is rampant, students have fallen behind, and taxes are suffocating the working people.
Dhillon and Steel went on to say that any of the GOP candidates would be superior to Newsom and that voters should decide his replacement. A Republican endorsement would just send the message that they agree with Newsom and that this is just some kind of partisan thing.
“This is the worst governor, not only in California history but even before California became a state. I think it’s time to focus on Sept. 14 and get our people out,” Steel said.
Four candidates had qualified for endorsements by the California GOP including talk radio host Larry Elder, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, and former U.S Rep Doug Ose. Many Republicans have endorsed both Faulconer and Elder in the race.
The recall election ballot on September 14 will include 24 Republicans on the list of 46 replacement candidates. It will ask California two questions. First, voters will decide whether or not Newsom should be recalled. Second, they ask who should replace Newsom if he is recalled. If the first question gets more than 50% opting to recall Newsom, then the top vote-getter on the second ballot question becomes the new governor.
Hon. Fred M. Whitaker, Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, praised the GOP’s decision and said they will stick to their plan of taking down the “most corrupt and ineffective Governor in our state’s history.” He said the Republican Party has been blessed with well-qualified and principally sound candidates, adding that they will let the voters decide on the best person for the job. He said no “qualified, Serious Democrat” will be on the ballot and that the threat of splitting the Republican vote is not worth it.
Taking out endorsements could be one of the smartest tactics in a state as blue as California. You can perpetuate conservative values without the labeling and get out a party’s values without the political affiliation. At a certain point, it’s about the values that move people forward not the labels that keep people behind. That’s why the Democrat Party is dying in California.
