California recall election winners and losers

The polls have closed, and even though the votes are still being counted, but the California gubernatorial recall election results seem decisive: Voters said no to recalling Gov. Gavin Newsom.

If the results hold — and it sure looks like they will — Gov. Gavin Newsom will remain in office. Voters rejected the idea that his progressive policies on COVID-19, on climate change, on everything, were ruining the California dream and that someone else on the ballot could do a better job. So ... what’s next for the Golden State? L.A. Times politics reporter Seema Mehta and Sacramento bureau chief John Meyers fill us in. 

More reading:

Newsom soundly defeats California recall attempt

5 takeaways from Newsom’s big win in California’s recall election

Column: The recall was a colossal waste. But don’t expect California’s GOP to learn from it