A relieved governor declared victory and expressed his gratitude Tuesday night less than an hour after polls closed.
Gov. Gavin Newsom framed his victory as Californians not only rejecting the recall but affirming the politics of his administration.
"We said ‘yes’ to science. We said ‘yes’ to vaccines. We said ‘yes’ to ending this pandemic. We said ‘yes’ to people’s right to vote without fear of fake fraud or voter suppression. We said ‘yes’ to women’s fundamental constitutional right to decide for herself what she does with her body, her fate and her future. We said ‘yes’ to diversity. We said ‘yes’ to inclusion," said Newsom.
Despite warnings and early polls showing the race would be a close one, Newsom handily defeated the effort. Ahead of his arrival at a Sacramento rally, The Associated Press called Newsom as defeating the recall attempt. By 10 p.m., the returns showed 66.7 percent against recalling the governor and 33.3 percent for. AP reported that with an estimated two-thirds of ballots counted, the ‘no’ side was ahead by a 30-point margin.
Newsom said he was humbled by the fact President Joe Biden campaigned with him. He added that voters may have defeated former President Donald Trump but "Trumpism" is still alive.
Newsom made reference to Trump’s claims that the recall election was "rigged," saying America’s democracy needed to be cared for.
"Democracy is not a football, you don’t throw it around. It’s more like, I don’t know, an antique vase," Newsom said. "You can drop it, smash it into a million different pieces, and that’s what we’re capable of doing if we don’t stand up to meet the moment and push back."
The governor’s campaign strategy of focusing on the possibility of an ultra-conservative governor overseeing California appeared to pay off.
The narrative of a Republican upset "became a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the more you talk about it being close, the more [Democrats] pay attention," Los Angeles-based Democratic consultant Michael Trujillo told AP.
Political analysts and pundits seemed to agree that conservative talk show host Larry Elder’s entering the race was a boon to Newsom.
"Larry Elder handed them so many gifts on a platter. He is literally the antithesis of most California voters," said Dana Williamson to the wire service, Williamson was an adviser to former Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown, who preceded Newsom.
Newsom closed his remarks with a sigh of relief and a thank you.
"Thank you all very much. Thank you to 40 million Americans, 40 million Californians, and thank you for rejecting this recall," he said. Newsom will remain in office through 2023.
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