Gavin Newsom Recall Process Could Start This Week, With Karen Bass Next

 

Two of California's most prominent Democrats—Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—are facing a political crisis due to their handling of the devastating wildfires ravaging the greater Los Angeles area.

Firefighters made headway over the weekend in containing the fires, but more extreme fire weather is expected this week, threatening areas from Brentwood to Encino. With at least 24 fatalities and thousands of homes destroyed, the fires have escalated from a physical disaster to a political dilemma for both city and state officials.

Critics argue that the response was poorly managed, with many pointing out the lack of preparation—hydrants ran dry, and one state reservoir was empty, amid a particularly dry, hot, and windy season in Southern California. Republican figures have also focused on California's water and forest management policies, adding to the scrutiny.

This criticism has reached deep-blue L.A., and with California's history of political recalls, murmurs have surfaced about whether Newsom or Bass will retain their positions after the fires are contained. Newsom, who is term-limited, will leave the governor's office in January 2027, while Bass is in the second year of her first four-year term and has already announced plans to seek reelection in 2026.

In California, public officials can be recalled before their terms end, and recall efforts are already underway. A formal recall petition against Newsom has been filed, and more than 100,000 signatures have been collected for a petition demanding Bass' resignation.

Randy Economy, leading the recall effort against Newsom, criticized the governor's comments about rebuilding Pacific Palisades, arguing that the decision should be left to the residents affected. "How dare he?" Economy said, emphasizing that the people whose homes were destroyed should have the final say.

Economy further explained that his group had initially planned a recall before the fires but moved more swiftly after the destruction. He plans to officially serve Newsom with recall papers soon.

A spokesperson for Newsom dismissed the recall effort, noting that it's not focused on the fires, rescue, or recovery, but rather on politics. "The same far-right group has tried six failed recall attempts against Newsom," said Nathan Click. "Even Republican leaders have criticized these attempts as a fundraising 'grift.'"

Economy said his coalition, Saving California, is focused on Newsom but is also considering a recall effort against Bass. Though no formal decision has been made, he has taken initial steps to lay the groundwork for such a challenge.

California's recall process requires proponents to collect signatures within five months, with the number of signatures dependent on the office. For the governor, the petition needs signatures from 12% of the voters in the previous election, roughly 1.3 million people. The requirement for Bass' recall depends on Los Angeles' voter registration, but it could reach around 99,000 signatures.

Though Newsom survived a recall in 2021, Economy argues that this time, he will face a lower bar for signatures due to decreased voter turnout. "He's shown he can't govern effectively during a crisis," Economy said.

John Pitney, a political science professor, believes the recall efforts may gain momentum once the fires are under control. While he thinks Newsom is safe due to term limits, Pitney believes Bass' absence during the fire crisis could make her more vulnerable.

Bass' absence during the initial fires has drawn heavy criticism, especially considering her 2021 campaign promise not to travel abroad if elected. Critics point out that she has traveled internationally several times, including a recent trip to Ghana for the inauguration of a new president.

In contrast, some residents, like Dave Wasson, who lost his home in the Eaton Fire, don't hold Newsom or Bass responsible for the disaster, acknowledging the scale of the crisis. "The scale of this thing is so vast," Wasson said. He believes climate change is the primary cause of the fires but also anticipates that future investigations may highlight areas where responses could have been improved.

The debate over leadership and accountability continues, with both Newsom and Bass facing increasing pressure from the public and political opponents.