LOS ANGELES (CBS SF / AP) – Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder on Tuesday announced he was forming a political committee to raise money for the House and Senate contests and would avoid a possible rematch with the Governor Gavin Newsom this year.

The nationally unionized talk radio host last year became the GOP star candidate in failed recall elections to remove Newsom from his post. Since then, there has been much speculation about his political future and Elder had been hesitant to potentially launch another campaign to oust Newsom, who is running for a second term this year.

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In a statement, Elder pointedly left open the possibility of a future national or national campaign. While skipping a rematch with Newsom, his Elder for America PAC will give him a platform to remain politically visible while channeling funds to House and Senate candidates across the country, a strategy familiar to potential future candidates. seeking to strengthen their notoriety and their relationships.

“While I may not know what the future holds politically, the ability of our campaign to attract millions of votes and millions of dollars in a very short period of time demonstrates that we have a message that resonates with Americans, and I think we can put it to good use. use, ”Elder said.

While skirting another race against Newsom, he said he was “determined to fight for important issues in places where we can make a real difference”.

“The awakened program of the radical left is destroying America,” he said. “Federally, Democratic leaders are determined to ruin the economy, whether through massive inflation or draconian mandates for workers and employers.”

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His decision to avoid another confrontation with Newsom was not surprising, given California’s strong Democratic tilt. Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since 2006, and Democratic voters outnumber Republicans almost 2 to 1.

An unusual set of circumstances conspired last year to leave Newsom in jeopardy in the recall, including public angst over schools and businesses long shut down during the pandemic, a massive benefit fraud scandal unemployment and the fallout from the revelation that he attended a birthday party with friends and lobbyists at an opulent restaurant while telling residents of the state to reject social gatherings and stay home for security reasons.

In the end, Newsom comfortably pushed back the recall campaign. Elder easily finished first among potential replacement candidates, winning almost half of the vote, although the count among replacement candidates was made irrelevant after the failed recall.

Elder, 69, who could have become the state’s first black governor, eclipsed his GOP rivals on recall by conforming to a Tory-Libertarian message that was uncomfortable with many moderate and liberal voters of State.

He is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, a hated figure in California outside of his conservative base. Elder criticizes the landmark Roe v. Wade on abortion and supports the expansion of oil extraction, positions out of step with the majority of voters in the state. He spoke out against the minimum wage and criticized gun control.

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