If you’re living in California, you have a chance today to show your displeasure with the state’s big-government politicians by voting to recall Gavin Newsom and to elect Larry Elder as the state’s new governor. Read about Elder’s last day on the campaign trail from Ryan Carter in The Mercury News:
Elder, the conservative talk radio host turned frontrunning GOP challenger to Gov. Gavin Newsom, made an appearance at the icon Philippe the Original eatery in Downtown Los Angeles.
The lunchtime crowd got more than it bargained for: A candidate barnstorming through the L.A. area fully mindful that the Democratic establishment would take aim at him later in the day when President Joe Biden was scheduled to swoop in to Long Beach to buoy Newsom in the final hours before Election Day.
“Of course I’ve given him a target,” said Elder, pausing from a walk through the downtown landmark, hugging and chatting with buzzing supporters — some who knew he was coming, some who didn’t.
“My name is Larry Elder, I’m the frontrunner,” he told the crowd. “I think I’ve energized the state. I think I’ve energized the party. That’s why they’re bringing in this heavy lumber… Because they’re scared. They’re afraid.”
On the diner’s sawdust-covered floors, Elder’s visit became a kind of mini-news conference, where he offered a laundry list of grievances against Newsom, ranging from the economic impact of pandemic shutdowns, crime rates, the homeless and affordable housing crises, how the state has managed the drought and the state of California’s schools.
“I can’t think of any front in the last two years where Californians’ lives have been better,” said the conservative radio host.
It was a campaign message that he would echo at three other L.A. areas stops on Monday…
–From Monterey Park, where he’d attend a medal presentation to a Chinese-American World War II veteran…
–To a gathering at San Pedro’s Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center in the L.A. Harbor Area…
–To a final rally scheduled in Costa Mesa in the evening.
Just about the same time the self-styled “Sage from South Central” was expected to be working that Orange County crowd, Biden was scheduled to touch down a couple dozen miles away in Long Beach.
The 69-year-old syndicated commenter, author and attorney entered the recall race late in the game, but swiftly secured the front-runners’ slot, should voters oust Newsom.
On Monday, he was greeted by chants of “Larry! Larry!” in Downtown L.A. Despite the supermajorities he’d face in Sacramento should be snag victory on Tuesday, his supporters were eager to grant him the governor’s chair.
“It’s time for a change,” said Robert Monaghan, of L.A., a fan of the talk show host Elder, who he says is ready to govern. “I think he’d be a great person to turn the state around.”
“I don’t want to move but I feel like my future under the current administration I’d have to start thinking about it,” said Alan Parks, of Altadena, accompanied by his wife Dottie. The couple happened to be sitting in a room at the restaurant enjoying a couple of sandwiches when Elder strode in with an entourage of supporters and media.
While he’d be up against a Legislature unlikely to greenlight his legislative priorities, Elder said he would immediately use his executive authority. His first act would be to repeal state mandates on vaccinations, testing and masks at businesses, he said. He would also declare states of emergency on housing and water.
Action Line: Californians should ask themselves what Gavin Newsom has done to help the state. Residents and businesses are evacuating faster than ever, crime is up, and taxes are high. It’s time for a change. Vote Elder today.
