By George Skelton | Originally Posted on LA Times
SACRAMENTO — Conservative radio host Larry Elder is the latest Republican trying to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom and get elected to replace him. And why not?
It’ll only be a two-month campaign for Elder since he entered the arena late, just before the candidate filing deadline. Unlike some other major candidates, he won’t need to spend nearly a year on the tiresome and tedious campaign trail.
More important, there is a narrow, uphill path to victory for Elder. Don’t scoff.
Yes, the odds are heavily against him and the expectations are low. Newsom is the overwhelming favorite to retain his job based on polls and logic. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in California by nearly 2 to 1. And no Republican has been elected to statewide office since 2006.
But there’s a conceivable scenario that works for Elder, 69, a Los Angeles native who has been a talk radio host since 1993. He would be California’s first Black governor.
There will be two questions on the Sept. 14 ballot: Should Newsom be recalled? Who should replace him?
