California Gov. Gavin Newsom hit back at critics during his State of the State address on Tuesday night by defending his policy record amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to 56,000 empty seats at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the governor highlighted the “great strides” his state has made in achieving “equitable and plentiful vaccines.”
“We don’t just talk about vaccine equity,” he said. “We’ve designed our entire system around it, setting aside 40% of vaccines to the most impacted communities. You know, vaccine equity is not just the right thing to do, [but] it’s also the fastest way through this pandemic.”
LEADERS BEHIND NEWSOM RECALL CLAIM TO HAVE NEARLY 2 MILLION SIGNATURES, ENOUGH TO FORCE AN ELECTION
Despite the celebratory tone, Newsom appeared to acknowledge the effort to recall him following criticism of his handling of the pandemic.
“OK, we’ve made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes. But we own them, learn from them, and never stop trying,” he said. “We won’t change course just because of a few naysayers and doomsdayers. So, to the California critics who are promoting partisan power grabs and outdated prejudices and rejecting everything that makes California great, we say this: We will not be distracted from getting shots in arms and our economy booming again.”
Leaders behind the effort to recall Newsom claim to have obtained nearly 2 million signatures, well above the 1,497,709 threshold required to force a recount.
Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego and leading contender to oppose Newsom in a potential recall, slammed the governor’s address as a vain attempt to salvage a floundering political career.
“California needs a comeback, but the only comeback Gavin Newsom is focused on is his own,” Faulconer said. “He will say anything to save his political career. Words are all he has.”
Faulconer, who argued Newsom has failed parents of students learning remotely, neighborhoods suffering from high rates of homelessness, and laid-off workers, vowed to change the Golden State’s trajectory should he win the potential election.
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“Our state has everything it needs to be successful,” he said. “We just need the right leadership at the top.”
If the recall effort’s signatures are verified, an election will be held in October.
