Governor Newsom recall election in California: Who are the candidates, how does it work — and all your other questions answered

Democrats dominate politics in California and no Republican has won statewide since 2006. But the upcoming recall election on September 14 is presenting a serious political challenge to Governor Gavin Newsom. Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to California on September 8 to campaign with Newsom, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden will campaign there "early next week."

The election is taking place amid a rise in COVID-19 cases and as wildfires rage in the state. The election also presents a key test for how voters will respond to the way Democratic governors handled the pandemic. 

There have been previous attempts to recall Newsom, but this is the first challenge to get to the ballot. The election will be just the second recall election for governor in state history. The other took place in 2003 when Democratic Governor Gray Davis was recalled and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor.