Trump associate Richard Grenell will not run for recall in California

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Richard Grenell, former Acting Director of U.S. National Intelligence, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla. | Joe Raedle / Getty Images

OAKLAND Former Trump administration official Richard Grenell said Thursday that he will not run to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in the September recall election.

Ive decided not to run, Grenell told Sean Hannity’s Fox News show a day before the candidate filing deadline.

Grenell will enjoy widespread name recognition on conservative circles and fundraising capabilities after serving as ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence under former President Donald Trump, and he maintains a hostile Twitter presence. . He enthusiastically promoted a recall campaign targeting Newsom and reached out to political players about the run, who told Hannity in May that he was considering it.

But Grenell also signaled previously that he was going in a different direction. Earlier this year, he launched a political organization called Fix California focused on voting and education, and he told Fox News that his tone to donors was focused on a long -term effort rather than a sexy, fast that fixes like a hyped-up whole race.

Polls suggest that voters in overly Democratic California are more likely to reject the recall, though Republicans have shown greater enthusiasm to vote. Newsom also has a tremendous speech advantage thanks to his ability to raise unlimited amounts on his defense, and he took seven count checks from trade unions and tech leaders.

If he had joined the race, Grenell would have joined a field already crowded with Republican contenders. Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, talk show host Larry Elder and state Board of Equalization member Ted Gaines have all launched campaigns in the last two weeks, joining a GOP candidate list which featured former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, business owner and 2018 gubernatorial runner-up John Cox, former Rep. Doug Ose and celebrity and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner.

Californians will vote on Sept. 14, though ballots will be mailed to all registered voters starting a month earlier. The recall ballot has two parts: an up-or-down question of whether Newsom should be recalled, and then a choice of who should replace him.

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