Gov. Based on polls, Gavin Newsom is still considered a strong candidate to win the recall. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli. The Pool California GOP will not endorse a candidate for Newsom recallOAKLAND California Republican Party decided not to endorse any candidate running to replace Governor. Gavin Newsom will be recalling the governor. He prioritizes unity over a divisive selection.A pair of party officials circulated a motion that would have stopped the party from recommending no endorsement. This was hours before the party delegates were due to make their choice between four Republican candidates. They warned that Newsom's recall could be reduced by choosing one candidate, as the CAGOP tipping of the scale might deter some voters. Jessica Millan Patterson supported the motion.Harmeet Dhillon, Shawn Steel, members of the Republican National Committee, wrote that we cannot afford to discourage voters who feel passionately about a candidate but may not vote because the endorser hasn't been given.This last-minute move was the culmination of weeks of internal jockeying about the role of the California Republican Party in recall. While the gubernatorial campaigns vied for positions, a group of GOP activists and several Republican candidates opposed endorsing any candidate. They warned that the appearance of insider favoritism could reduce conservative enthusiasm and undermine the primary goal of recalling Newsom.Based on polls, the Democratic governor is still the favorite to win the recall. However, the race is close and it is difficult to predict the turnout. Republicans are more motivated than Democrats to get rid of Newsom and have been participating in large numbers. Independents and Democrats appear less motivated. If Newsom supporters do not participate, this gives Republicans a chance to win in this blue state.The compromise reached by the California Republican Party leadership established a high standard for endorsement. Candidates needed to get 60 percent of the vote, not a simple majority. Activists could choose between two top vote-getters or no endorsement. It was unlikely that any candidate would make it through.Some party officials believed that a vote would not be worth breaking up the base. Kevin Faulconer, the former San Diego Mayor, embraced this logic and urged the party to vote no one. He effectively removed himself from contention. This is an unusual choice for someone who has been seen as the party establishment's pick but has fallen in the polls. Republican candidates and activists also attacked the endorsement process, arguing that it was biased in Faulconer’s favor.Faulconer sent an email to supporters that the California Republican Party should work together for the single goal of driving support in this historic recall. This was hours before the election. Since the end of candidate filings, it became clear that an endorsement of one candidate would only distract from this goal.Faulconers' response and dissension reflected a fluid Republican field, just five weeks before the Sept. 14 election. After less than a month, Larry Elder, a conservative radio host, has risen to the top in polls and outraised all other Republicans. He has won pluralities in polls but not outright majority, indicating that the party is not united behind one candidate.Faulconers efforts to position himself as the frontrunner have been challenged by Elder's rapid rise. Faulconers and his allies had been pushing for endorsement since the beginning. They retreated in recent weeks due to party pushback and Elder's late surge, which raised the possibility that Faulconer wouldn't be able secure enough party support.A political endorsement could have significant upsides. The endorsement would allow the candidate to present himself as the Republican voter's choice. This is a significant signal in a field that has 46 candidates, including 24 Republican candidates. California Republican Party's campaign apparatus could also use resources to support the candidates.Although Republicans don't endorse a candidate in the election, Newsom has made Elder the party's flag-bearer in appeals for voters. His campaign highlighted Elder's comments to The Sacramento Bee this Week that there should not be a minimum wage. He also pointed to a Huffington Post article in which Elder highlighted his July radio program with a Covid-19 vaccine skeptical.Recall ballots are used to ask Newsom if he should be recalled and who should succeed him. If a majority votes for Newsom on the first question then the candidate with the highest number of votes on the second question is elected governor. This means that a plurality is required to win, and not a majority. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor in 2003 with 48.6 per cent of the vote.
