Davis Recall Backers Almost Halfway to Goal

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 24, 2003

Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A campaign to recall pro-abortion California Governor Gray Davis (D) turned in 375,000 signatures today and is almost halfway to the goal of nearly 900,000 they must collect.

Pro-life groups support the recall effort.

"Gray Davis is the most pro-abortion governor California - and possibly the nation - has ever seen," explained Brian Johnston, director of the California Pro-Life Council.

"The appointment of Susan Kennedy, the former director of California Abortion Rights Action League, as his Cabinet Secretary and principal policy advisor signaled an unrelenting commitment to use the resources and power of the state to advance abortion on demand and squelch any other competing 'choices,'" Johnston told LifeNews.com.

Although it stalled initially, the recall effort picked up the pace following a financial boost of more than $1 million from pro-life Congressman Darrel Issa (R-CA).

Recall proponents must collect 897,158 valid signatures by Sept. 2 to force an election next year. Supports say they are close to the goal and will be turning in another batch of signatures soon once validated.

If successful, Issa is and Davis may square off in an election battle. Although other potential Republican candidates have considered running, only Issa has announced. Democrats have been working behind the scenes to prevent other major candidates from running and splitting the Democratic vote. Most recently, pro-abortion Sen. Diane Feinstein announced she will not run.

Abortion supporters have said that fighting the campaign to recall Davis has eclipsed the state's upcoming U.S. Senate race as their top political priority. Pro-abortion Sen. Barbara B