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California governor Newsom survives attempt to remove him from office
CGTN
The governor of California has survived an attempt to remove him from office early. /AP

The governor of California has survived an attempt to remove him from office early. /AP

The governor of California has survived an attempt to remove him from office early.

Democrat Gavin Newsom won an estimated two-thirds of the votes in a poll, called a recall election, which was triggered after at least 1.5 million people signed their names calling for one.

The vote was said to be a test of Democratic Party support - 10 months after Republican Donald Trump was beaten in the 2020 White House race by now President Joe Biden.

Despite repeated attempts to get governors removed with a recall election in California, it is only the second time a vote has taken place.

The last time it happened, in 2003, film star Arnold Schwarzenegger beat the incumbent Democrat to become the state's Republican governor.

Analysts say the bid to oust Mr. Newsom was driven by an array of grievances, partly driven by the COVID crisis.

The initial driver was Mr. Newsom being caught on camera in November at a birthday party - without a mask - at one of the most expensive restaurants in America, The French Laundry, breaking his own COVID rules.

(With input from agencies)

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