‘California Gov. Larry Elder’ is very possible. Is that as scary as Gavin Newsom makes it sound?

Despite a late entry to the race, conservative radio host Larry Elder has emerged as the front-runner among Republican voters in the Gavin Newsom recall election.

Elder’s poll and fundraising numbers indicate strength beyond simple name recognition, and if California Democrats who vote “no” on the ballot’s first question (Should Newsom be recalled?) follow the Newsom team’s guidance and leave question two (who should replace Newsom?) blank, they could very well get Gov. Larry Elder should Newsom lose on question one.

Newsom went after Elder directly last week the first time he has acknowledged an individual candidate running to replace him painting him as someone who “thinks climate change is a hoax, believes we need more offshore oil drilling, more fracking, does not believe a woman has the right to choose [and] actually came out against Roe v. Wade, does not believe in a minimum wage.”

In an interview with SFGATE, Elder said he believes Newsom’s characterizations as an extremist are unfair. He said he believes in climate change (but isn’t sure how much it is contributing to worsening wildfires), is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and encourages all eligible residents to get vaccinated, (which separates him from fellow Republican candidate John Cox), though he opposes vaccine mandates like the one Newsom rolled out two weeks ago.

Elder acknowledged the constraints he would face as governor if the recall is successful and outlined the specific actions he would seek to take while in office. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

via www.sfgate.com

Elder would be great but it’s hard to see how he’d get much done. But at least he’d stop digging.