California Democrats warn of low turnout in recall election

California Democrats in Congress are closely watching polls that show Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomBiden rolls the dice as it gets more aggressive on vaccines California Democrats warn of low turnout in recall elections Western governors ask Biden for help with wildfires MORE (D) narrowly fending off a recall campaign as Republican voters disproportionately fear they would be interested in ballots that would dismiss him from office.

In interviews this week, Democrats have framed the recall as a Republican takeover, which will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars to administer just a year before Newsom faces voters at the end of his prime. mandate – but that Newsom could ultimately lose.

“I see a real scenario where the governor loses if people don’t come to vote, if Democrats stay at home, if Democrats underestimate the power of fake news, you know the power of rumors. We cannot stand still. I think we should have learned that with Trump, ”said Rep. Norma TorresNorma Judith Torres House at war over Jan.6 inquiry, mask mandate House Democrat says she sleeps with gun nearby after clashing with President of Salvador Harris, Hispanic caucus meets on Central America PLUS (D).

Polls show most California voters oppose Newsom’s recall from office, but by an increasingly narrow margin. Among those most likely to vote in the September 14 recall, the margin is even narrower – a poll conducted for the University of California-Berkeley’s Institute for Government Studies found the recall to be 36 % to 51% among registered voters, but only 47% to 50% among probable voters.

Although Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2 to 1, Republican voters are much more likely to say they are happy to vote on the recall.

“These results clearly show that the big question surrounding the recall will be whether Newsom’s campaign and Democratic activists are able to get Democratic voters to vote more in September,” said Eric Schickler, co-director of the poll.

Getting the vote, especially among Democratic voters, will be key to Newsom’s survival.

“The campaign has to start, and it’s good that the governor hears that, brings it out more and starts taking it more seriously,” Torres said.

Newsom’s campaign started spending money on paid ads, the latest featuring Sen. Elizabeth warrenElizabeth Warren California Democrats warn of low turnout in recall election Pelosi challenges Biden power to forgive student loans Warren airs for Newsom ahead of recall election MORE (D-Mass.). Vice President Harris, a close ally of Newsom since her early days in San Francisco politics, said she would campaign for governor.

“It will be a very close race,” said Rep. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaCalifornia Democrats warn of low turnout in recall election Overnight Energy: Democrats request interview with Exxon lobbyist after secret tapes | Biden EPA to Reconsider Trump’s Cutback on Power Plant Pollution in 2022 | How climate change and humans influence wildfires Democrats request interview with Exxon lobbyist after secret recordings (D-Calif.) Told The Hill. “I think people realize it’s not a slam dunk.”

“He just needs to focus on participation. And I think he has to speak to the progressive base, ”Khanna said. “He has to make sure that the progressive base really shows up.”

representing Eric SwalwellEric Michael Swalwell California Democrats warn of low turnout in recall election DOJ refuses to back Mo Brooks’ defense against Swalwell’s riots lawsuit. (D-Calif.) Criticized rules that allow opponents of any politician to force them back on the ballot with a relatively low number of signatures. Newsom’s enemies have collected over 2 million signatures to qualify the recall election, more than the roughly 1.5 million they needed.

“Two of the last three Democratic governments have been there. It’s costly to the state when we have to help the people, you know, affected by COVID, ”Swalwell said in an interview. “He’s going to survive it, but hopefully in the long run the bar won’t be so low to spend $ 200 million on a partisan recall.”