Gay California Lawmaker Evan Low Joins Grindr to Campaign Against Recall

Out Democratic California State Assemblymember Evan Low said Tuesday that he has joined Grindr in an effort to stop the Republican recall of California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on September 14.

"Hello beautiful!" Low's Grindr bio, which he posted to Twitter, read. "I'm on here to urge you to VOTE NO on the Republican Recall!"

"Governor Gavin Newsom has consistently stood for equality and our LGBTQ community. Now let us all be there for him," he wrote.

The upcoming recall for Newsom isn't too much of a shock for those who have been watching Californian politics for the last few decades.

Organizing a recall in California isn't too difficult. In fact, there have been attempts to each governor since 1960, although some of these failed to qualify for the ballot, notes The New York Times. A recall in 2003 resulted in Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming the state's governor.

A recall petition must have been signed by at least 12 percent of the turnout vote in the last gubernatorial election. It must also have 1 percent of the last vote from five counties. Organizers of the recall have 160 days to collect the needed signatures.

The threshold for Newsom's recall was 1,495,709 signatures. Proponents of the recall turned in 1.7 million.

Critics of Newsom have attempted recalls several times in the past, according to the Times. Californians were upset with some of the governor's pandemic-related policies.

On the ballot, voters will see two questions -- "Should the governor be recalled?" If so, "Who should be the new governor?"

More than 40 candidates, mostly Republicans, are vying to replace Newsom. The front-runner is talk-show host Larry Elder, a Black conservative who claims systemic racism does not exist; opposes the minimum wage, abortion rights, and mask mandates; has made anti-LGBTQ+ remarks; and is a major supporter of Donald Trump. Other notable Republicans looking to replace Newsom and who have submitted the necessary paperwork to appear on the recall ballot include Kevin Faulconer, former mayor of San Diego; John Cox, a businessman who has campaigned with a live bear and who lost to Newsom in 2018; Ted Gains, who serves on the State Board of Equalization; and Caitlyn Jenner, reality star and former Olympic athlete.

Jenner has received criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates for her comments on people experiencing homelessness and trans student-athletes. She has the support of only about 1 percent of people surveyed, according to a poll from the Public Policy Institute of California and reported by Politico.

Newsom, however, has a strong lead, according to the same poll. It found that 58 percent of likely voters said they'll reject the recall, and only 39 percent said they'll be voting yes.

Low, elected in 2014, represents the 28th District in the state, which includes Silicon Valley. He was the youngest Asian-American legislator elected to the California Assembly, according to his website. Low chairs the Business and Professions Committee and the LGBTQ Caucus, and he is vice-chair of the Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. He won a seat on Campbell City Council in 2006 before becoming the city's mayor in 2010.