Republican talk show host Larry Elder won’t run against Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022

Republican talk show host Larry Elder announced Tuesday that he will not run again against Gov. Gavin Newsom in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Elder was one of dozens of candidates to run against Newsom in the 2021 fall recall election. The recall election failed, with Newsom defeating the effort to remove him with 61.9% of the vote.

About 12.9 million Californians voted in the recall, but more than 5.4 million of them did not cast a ballot for a replacement candidate. Elder emerged as the clear frontrunner among candidates on the replacement ballot, claiming 48% of that vote.

“I ran for Governor because I wanted to make a difference,” Elder said in a statement. “While I may not know what the future holds for me politically, our campaign’s ability to attract millions of votes and millions of dollars in a very short time demonstrates we have a message that resonates with Americans, and I believe we can put that to good use.”

Elder said he has launched a new political action committee, Elder for America, which he says will focus on re-taking the U.S. House and Senate for the Republican Party, as well as local elections that affect public safety and education.

“The Elder for America PAC will engage in public education campaigns, direct voter contact, and fundraising to help Republicans win key seats in the House and Senate, and effect public policy on the local level,” according to a statement released by Elder.

Elder’s history of controversial remarks as a talk radio host, including calling for the abolition of the minimum wage, made him a polarizing figure in the recall election. Newsom campaigned heavily off of Elder’s presence in the recall election, warning his Democratic base that apathy at the ballot box could lead to an anti-abortion governor of California.

Newsom said in an interview with The Bee that Elder’s presence in the recall election “sharpened the focus of the consequential nature of this election.”

Elder wasted little time issuing his first fundraising pitch Tuesday morning, asking supporters to kick in $25 or more to the new PAC.

“We have a country to save – and with patriots like you on my team, I know we can!” Elder said in the fundraising email.

This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 10:58 AM.