Gavin Newsom vs. Larry Elder: A California recall guide
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Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom created a national firestorm as San Francisco mayor in 2004 when he ordered the city to issue same-sex marriage licenses. He had survived a sex scandal as mayor of San Francisco, served eight years in the unglamorous job of lieutenant governor and weathered claims that he was too ambitious, too slickly handsome and too patrician-seeming — a supposed son of privilege whose bid for power was greased by his father’s big-money connections.
As governor, he has guided California through the coronavirus pandemic while also dealing with a series of other crises, including unprecedented wildfires, the racial uprising over George Floyd and a worsening drought.
Profiles
How Newsom went from rising star to fighting for his political life
How Gavin Newsom made his fortune (2018)
Issues
Inside the decision to lock down California
Newsom faces his biggest challenge after a swift rise
Newsom takes California on its own COVID path
Newsom's communication over COVID mandates brings questions
What the French laundry debacle really means
Newsom as vaccine game show host
Newsom and the changing bar for reopening California
Newsom ties political fortunes to vaccine rollout
Newsom, French Laundry and a powerful lobbyist
Analysis
Newsom and the likability factor
Grading Gavin Newsom's governorship
Newsom's defeat and an environmental nightmare
Newsom, the recall and democracy
Newsom recall and the view from Washington
Larry Elder
Conservative talk show host Larry Elder has emerged as the Republican front-runner in the race to replace Newsom if California voters recall the governor. He has been a fixture on conservative media for decades, appearing on KABC radio and, more recently, Fox News.
Elder grew up in South Los Angeles in a challenging childhood he has recounted in books. His extreme views and what critics say is an embrace of misinformation have made him a highly controversial candidate, and he’s come under attack by Democrats as well as some Republicans. His views on issues like abortion, taxation and COVID safety seemingly put him at odds with many California voters.
Profiles
Larry Elder’s views cost him listeners and even his best friend. But he won’t waver
Larry knows best: The sage of South Central (1998)
His record
What does Larry Elder’s talk radio commentary tell us about how he would lead California?
Larry Elder and his relationship with Donald Trump
Elder’s ex-fiancee becomes his biggest critic
Larry Elder breached charity. But his own charity failed
Questions about Elder’s financial disclosures
Analysis
Larry Elder is the most Latino candidate ever
Larry Elder is the Black face of white supremacy
Elder and the end of California progressive politics?
Is Larry Elder a gift to Democrats?
Elder and Newsom: A special relationship
Too bad you can’t believe Larry Elder
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
