The leading GOP recall candidate Larry Elder said he is “very likely” to run for governor again in 2022 regardless of the results of the Sept. 14 election.
"A lot of my contributors have asked me to stay in the game in the unlikely event that I don't become governor after September the 14th," Elder told CBS San Diego. "So in all probability, I will do just that.
In an interview with the news station, Elder discussed why he joined the race to unseat sitting California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his future political plans.
Elder said he spoke with his colleagues and ordinary people before launching his campaign.
“I feel like I have something to contribute. The reason I’m doing this is because I feel like I’m moral, spiritual, I’m a man of faith,” he said.
The interview also covered some of Elder’s more controversial stances, with Elder ultimately acknowledging that climate change is real. He added that when he works as a radio personality his goal is to be “entertaining” and “provocative.”
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When asked if he would try to stop local school districts from imposing their own mask mandates, he responded, “No, I would not. I would recommend against it. I think the local municipalities have a right to be foolish.”
Elder has been critical of the current requirement that staff and students, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when indoors at school.
Elder did not comment on other recall candidates Caitlyn Jenner and former San Diego mayor, Kevin Faulconer, calling on him to drop out of the race in his conversation with CBS. Instead, he kept his criticism focused on Newsom.
Newsom has not participated in any debates with the top GOP challengers, but he has gone on the offense with Elder. Newsom said the talk show host is a far right extremist whose views are way out of line with most Californians.
Elder, too, faced the criticism of his fellow party members when he opted out of a debate hosted by the Sacramento Press Club earlier this month.
At the debate, Faulconer took aim at Elder’s past statements on women, calling them “bull----, and we ought to call it that.” Elder wrote in a column for Capitalism Magazine that “women know less than men about political issues, economics and current events.”
With close to three weeks left until the recall election, Elder decided to hire a new campaign manager, according to Politico.
Former campaign manager Louis Barnett confirmed Sunday he is no longer working in that role. GOP consultant Jeffery Corless has replaced Barnett.
“I can confirm Mr. Elder has asked me to take over a key role in the management of his campaign,’’ he said in a text message to Politico.
Corless added that he has “focused on advising Mr. Elder on the management of his campaign as we look to bring this effort home to victory.’’
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