Gov. Newsom calls GOP rivals 'anti-vax,' but are they?

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has made his leadership during the pandemic a centerpiece of his campaign to keep his job, warning in life-and-death terms that his Republican rivals in the recall election are anti-vaccine crusaders who would expose people to a new wave of COVID risks.

The recall election that culminates Sept. 14 was largely was driven by frustration with Newsom's sweeping coronavirus orders that closed schools and businesses and, in turn, cost millions of jobs. He is arguing his decisions saved thousands of lives and replacing him with a Republican could result in soaring case rates and deaths.

In a television ad this week, the first-term Democrat's campaign plastered his Republican rivals with the label “anti-vax.” Another ad calls the outcome of the recall vote “a matter of life and death.”

Newsom, however, is taking liberties with broad-brush strokes that distort his opponents' positions.

The top GOP candidates –- Larry Elder, Kevin Faulconer, Kevin Kiley and John Cox –- say they’ve been vaccinated against the virus. All also have said people should get the shot if they wish but that government shouldn’t force them. None has said the vaccines are dangerous, a stance typically associated with the term “anti-vax.”

“I think people in high-risk categories, people who are older, ought to be vaccinated. But I certainly don’t believe that the government should mandate that,” Elder, the leading GOP candidate, told reporters this week.

“I’m not anti-vax,” the 69-year-old talk radio host added. “I’ve been vaccinated because of my age, because of a blood condition I have, and my doctor strongly advised me to become vaccinated.”

To him, Newsom is promoting “a lie” about his GOP rivals to alarm voters and distract attention from the state’s...