'The Last Thing We Need': Ocasio-Cortez Urges Californians to Vote No on Newsom Recall

"Listen to AOC," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "There’s too much on the line. Make sure your voice is heard!"

In a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday evening, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the call for Californians to reject the Republican Party's attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying a victory by one of his GOP challengers is "the last thing we need."

The New York Democrat was asked by a social media follower if she could help encourage California voters to participate in the effort to block the recall.

"Yes!" Ocasio-Cortez replied. "Listen, if you live in California there's probably a ballot in your mailbox on a recall election. Please find that thing, vote no, stick that sucker right back in your mailbox, because the options are bad!"

On Twitter, the congresswoman called the effort to oust Newsom "nightmare fuel" and urged voters, "Do not mess with this recall."

With the deadline to return mail-in ballots set for September 14, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former President Barack Obama are among those who have also issued urgent calls for Californians to take the threat of the recall seriously.

Every California governor since 1960 has faced efforts to end their terms early through a recall, but only one—Democrat Gray Davis, who was replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003—has ever been successfully ousted.

According to the most recent polls FiveThirtyEight, support for the recall has declined as the final day of voting draws near, with 54.3% opposing the effort and 42% supporting it as of Wednesday.

But with right-wing radio host Larry Elder in the lead among 46 challengers appearing on the ballot, Democrats are warning Californians not to take Newsom's victory for granted. Elder has spead misinformation regarding the risk Covid-19 poses to children and said last month that the "ideal minimum wage is $0."

One of California's two senators is Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein—the oldest member of the chamber at 88. Feinstein has said she intends to serve until her term is up in 2025; if she's unable to do so, a successful recall could allow a GOP governor to select her replacement.

As Elder told a conservative radio show recently, "They’re afraid I’m going to replace her with a Republican, which I most certainly would do and that would be an earthquake in Washington, D.C."

Newsom, who has faced attacks over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, homelessness in the state, and other issues, amplified Ocasio-Cortez's message on Twitter.

"Listen to AOC," Newsom said, calling the popular progressive by the nickname used by her supporters. "There’s too much on the line. Make sure your voice is heard!"

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.

This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.

Because of people like you, another world is possible. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't want advertising dollars. We want the world to be a better place. But we can't do it alone. It doesn't work that way. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do. Without Your Support We Simply Don't Exist.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

'The Last Thing We Need': Ocasio-Cortez Urges Californians to Vote No on Newsom Recall

This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.

Related

How California's Top Democrats Paved the Way for a Republican Governor This Fall

'Four-Alarm Fire' for Democracy as Texas Voter Suppression Bill Becomes Law

Youth Activists Rally Outside Feinstein's LA Office Demanding Civilian Climate Corps

Sanders Says Last Thing California Needs Is 'Some Right-Wing Republican Governor'

Latest News

Coalition Slams UN Food Summit for Peddling 'Corporate-Led False Solutions' to Hunger

'Political Malpractice': House Democrats' Bill Wouldn't Add Dental to Medicare Until 2028

'How Many More Deaths Must It Take?' Barbados Leader Rips Rich Nations in Fierce UN Speech

To Avert Debt Ceiling Calamity, Democrats Urged to Finally Kill the Filibuster

Biden Decries 'Outrageous' Treatment of Haitians at Border—But Keeps Deporting Them

Most Popular