Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota recently visited the state of California to lead a rally in support of embattled Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Klobuchar spoke to a crowd of Newsom supporters in Santa Ana on Sunday, praising the governor’s efforts in combating climate change, rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine, and supporting a woman’s “right” to an abortion. The senator also decried the recall effort as a partisan power grab by Republicans.
I’m in California standing with @GavinNewsom today urging voters here to mark NO on your ballot and send it back by 9/14. Just nine days to go! #StopTheRepublicanRecall pic.twitter.com/fP8Pz8GJoj
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) September 5, 2021
On Sunday evening Klobuchar tweeted a video clip distilling her message to 40 seconds and reminding Californians across the state to keep Newsom in power.
“If you care about the fires raging across the state and want to have a governor that’s going to do something about climate change, that’s Gavin Newsom,” she said. “If you care about continuing our recovery and turning the corner on this pandemic, and all the good that’s been done in California, getting the vaccine, vote ‘No’ on the recall.”
“And if you care about a woman’s right to choose, and not going down the path that we just saw happen in Texas, we’ve seen in other states across the country, vote ‘No’ on the recall,” she added.
Californians: If you care about a governor who will take action on climate change, fight this pandemic, and safeguard women’s healthcare, vote NO on September 14! pic.twitter.com/wkD8RwMyAC
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) September 6, 2021
Other prominent Democratic politicians have been or will be in the Golden State campaigning for Newsom. Sen. Elizabeth Warren spoke at a rally in Culver City on Saturday, while Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the Bay Area on Wednesday.
The recall vote officially takes place on Sept. 14, though millions of Californians have already voted and returned their ballots in person or through the mail.
Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder is running on the Republican ticket to replace Newsom. He remains the clear frontrunner among all other challengers to Newsom’s governorship, according to a recent Public Policy Institute of California poll. Elder leads the field with 26 percent, followed by former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer at 5 percent. Several other challengers come in at 3 percent or less.
The polls, however, have significantly improved for Newsom over the past couple of weeks, with new data showing that 58 percent of Californians wish to keep Newsom in power.
Newsom has faced criticism for his handling of California’s homelessness crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, especially after it was revealed that he dined at the ritzy French Laundry with a maskless group of friends in violation of his own mandates.
Evan Stambaugh
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer who had previously been a sports blogger. He has a BA in theology and an MA in philosophy.
