In the unlikely event Gov. Gavin Newsom is recalled from office in Tuesday's special election, conservative talk radio host Larry Elder is the leading candidate to replace him.
Who exactly is this 69-year-old Republican challenger?
Elder was born in raised in Los Angeles before graduating from Brown University in 1974 and receiving a law degree from the University of Michigan three years later.
He is most well-known for his long career as a conservative talk radio host, mainly for the Los Angeles station KABC where he worked from 1994 to 2008 and 2010 to 2014.
Elder currently hosts the nationally syndicated "The Larry Elder Show" through Salem Media Group.
His conservative viewpoints are widely considered extreme. San Jose State political science professor Larry Gerston told KCBS Radio his politics are "farther right" than any of the other 24 Republican candidates.
"He’s clearly out of sync with what the majority values in the state," Gerston added.
Elder is an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and has frequently denied the dangers of COVID-19. He falsely claimed in a CNN interview earlier this month that young people don't need to receive the vaccine and vowed to repeal any mask or vaccine mandates if elected.
These radical views were targeted by former President Barack Obama in a campaign ad for Newsom launched last week, where he said Republican candidates would "overturn common sense public safety measures for healthcare workers and school staff," while an image of Elder flashed across the screen.
In addition, Elder faces disconcerting accusations across multiple fronts, most of which stem from a history of dangerous rhetoric and actions towards women.
Last month, his ex-fiance and former radio producer Alexandra Datig accused him of brandishing a gun at her while high on marijuana in 2015, which she claimed was the "culmination of a series of humiliating disputes that made her fearful for her safety and her ability to maintain her sobriety." She filed a formal police report on August 25.
Elder denied the claims, calling them "salacious allegations."
He also admitted, in audio clips uncovered from his radio show in 2011 by CNN, that he was twice subjected to workplace sexual harassment allegations. The clips also included disturbing and violent sexist remarks Elder made about multiple female public figures, including saying Speaker of the House and San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was too unattractive to sexually assault.
Elder also faces an inquiry from state regulators over whether he failed to disclose some aspects on his personal finances.
Recent polling suggests that Newsom is a heavy favorite to remain in office, with a survey last Friday from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showing that 60.1% of likely voters will vote no on the recall.
However, the same poll indicated that 38% of voters would choose Elder. The next closest challenger, Democrat Kevin Paffrath, is polling at just 10%.
Related
