Newsom fights for survival in recall vote as campaigns trade barbs on final weekend

California Governor Gavin Newsom's political future faces a critical test Tuesday when voters have their final chance to cast ballots in the recall election aimed at cutting Newsom's first term short.

Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans in California and Newsom has received significant backing from some of his most influential allies in the state and support from top national Democrats, including President Biden, who will be in California Monday to campaign for Newsom. Proponents of the recall are hoping that energy against Newsom's handling of COVID-19 will lead to a stunning political upset in deep blue California. This is the sixth recall attempt by Newsom's political opponents to unseat the governor, but the first time voters will weigh in on the issue. It's just the second time a California governor faces a recall election. In 2003, voters recalled Democratic Governor Gray Davis and replaced him with Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.