The Story:
Last week election officials in California announced that the advocates of the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom do have enough signatures on their petition to force a vote. This sets up a situation in which just about anyone who wants the platform for themselves or an issue dear to his heart can get on the ballot. The last time there was such an election in California, in 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger ended up ousting Governor Gray Davis. They were only two of the more than 100 candidates on that ballot!
Background:
Perhaps the closest analog to Arnold Schwarzenegger within the developing race this time around is Caitlyn Jenner, the one-time Olympic athlete and transgender woman who is married to Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the cast of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” a wildly successful reality television show.
The Thing to Know:
There are also more conventional political figures in the mix, though they’ll each have a tough time competing with the immediate statewide name recognition of Jenner. One of these conventional figures is the former mayor of San Diego, Kevin Faulconer, who criticized Newsom last year over Newsom’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, especially Newsom’s decision to close all beaches statewide.
