A recall campaign targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining steam as the state grapples with devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Critics have blasted his leadership, calling it a series of “catastrophic failures” in managing the ongoing disaster, with some calling for his removal during his second term.
The recall organizers are set to file the necessary paperwork in the coming weeks, with the hope of triggering a process that could lead to Newsom’s ouster. The wildfires have ravaged over 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 homes, and resulted in at least 24 deaths, stoking the flames of discontent against the governor.
Randy Economy, a leading figure in the recall effort, has voiced his dissatisfaction with Newsom’s response to the crisis. “Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California has become increasingly unaffordable. His policies have led to rising costs of living, a surge in crime, worsening drug addiction, homelessness, and a decline in public services and education,” Economy said. “The disastrous response to the wildfires is the latest example of his failure to act.”
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Economy, who previously led a 2021 recall campaign that ultimately failed, launched the “Saving California” organization in late 2024. The group represents a mix of professionals, families, and community leaders. Although the recall effort had been in the works before the wildfires, Economy acknowledged that the urgency of the situation has expedited their timeline for action.
To advance the recall, organizers need to file a notice of intent and collect around 1.3 million signatures within five months.
Dr. Houman David Hemmati, another key organizer, criticized Newsom’s lack of preparedness for the fires. “California has been plagued by wildfires for years, yet Governor Newsom has failed to develop a real plan after serving as governor for six years and lieutenant governor for eight,” Hemmati said. “His lack of foresight and leadership has resulted in the destruction of homes and the displacement of thousands.”
Despite the growing recall movement, Newsom, 57, remains confident in his ability to retain office. The governor survived a recall attempt in 2021, despite the state’s strong Democratic voter base. A spokesperson for Newsom dismissed the latest recall as a politically motivated stunt and emphasized the governor’s focus on the emergency response.
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“Governor Newsom is fully focused on managing the wildfire crisis and coordinating recovery efforts,” said Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Newsom. “This is the same group of far-right extremists who have attempted to recall the governor multiple times before. Even Republican leaders have criticized these efforts as cynical, with the recall organizers facing legal challenges from their own donors.”
Meanwhile, an online petition calling for the removal of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also gained traction, garnering nearly 130,000 signatures. The petition accuses Bass of mishandling the wildfire response. “We demand the immediate recall of Mayor Bass for her gross mismanagement and failure to adequately address the fires ravaging the city,” the petition states.
