REFERENDUM WATCH — State Sen. Aisha Wahab is a step closer to facing a recall election following a tumultuous first year in the Legislature that included authoring historic gun legislation and backing a failed effort to ban caste discrimination that drew large protests at the Capitol.
A recall petition was certified for circulation Friday by the secretary of state. Organizers have until May 23 to collect 42,802 signatures — 20 percent of the total ballots cast in her 2022 election — to force a recall vote next year in her Bay Area district.
A website set up by her opponents criticizes her for not doing enough to address crime and public safety in the district, neglecting constituents and “flip-flopping” on issues. They cite several pieces of legislation, including a proposal to ban caste discrimination that Newsom vetoed amid strong opposition from Indian Americans.
Recall organizer Ritesh Tandon, who has previously run for Congress as a Republican, did not return a message seeking comment.
Wahab’s office also did not respond to a request for comment.
If the recall effort receives enough valid signatures, election officials will certify the petition by July and a recall vote would be held later in 2024.
— Sarah Grace Taylor