EXCLUSIVE — The California recall election is Sept. 14, and Larry Elder has emerged as the leading Republican candidate to challenge Gov. Gavin Newsom. Elder is a longtime critic of Newsom. He has routinely said that “we have a state to save” when referring to Newsom and the movement to oust him.

Elder has emphasized “common sense” as the remedy to Newsom. It’s also one of the reasons he is running for governor. “I’ve got common sense, something sadly lacking in Sacramento, especially under this smug, corrupt governor,” his campaign website says.