Friday is the final day for prospective candidates to file papers and run against Gov. Gavin Newsom in the recall election.
Recall opponents should expect a crowded field as the requirements to run for governor are rather straightforward. Californians with $4,000, five years of tax returns, and who have never been convicted of a felony involving bribery are qualified to enter the race held on September 14.
With a current count of roughly 80 gubernatorial candidates, the total may come up just shy of the 2003 recall election when 135 people ran against Gov. Gray Davis.
For September, there will be no Arnold Schwarzenegger star-power to sway the vote away from the incumbent, but Political Scientist Mark Kepler told KCBS Radio that the quantity of candidates may be more important.
"It’s all about turn out," Kepler said. "The more people you can get to the polls, the better off you are."
He explained that despite a mass of candidates, each is working towards the same ultimate goal: recalling Newsom.
"Even what we would consider as "fringe candidates," they bring in 3,000 people," Kepler said. "That all helps in terms of the first question on the ballot -whether you want to recall Gov. Newsom or not."
While the governor is widely popular, there is an enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans. With 15% more people in favor of the recall, this gap does not fall in the governor’s direction.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer seems to be the reigning favorite of traditional Republicans, but Kepler admits that one of the outsiders could stir things up.
Last week it was ruled that Newsom will not be listed as a Democrat on the recall ballot, as his campaign team missed the deadline to submit his Party affiliation.
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