Efforts in Santa Cruz, California, to recall Councilmen Drew Glover and Chris Krohn were initiated in May 2019. Petitioners submitted enough signatures to put the recalls on the ballot and the recall elections were held on March 3, 2020.[1] Both Glover and Krohn were removed from office as a result of the recall vote.[2] This effort was both the first successful recall in Santa Cruz council history and the first ever recall to qualify for the ballot in Santa Cruz.[3]
Recall vote
The recall elections for Councilmen Drew Glover and Chris Krohn took place on March 3, 2020. The recall was approved by voters, and both Glover and Krohn were removed from office. Glover was recalled by a vote of 53.21% to 46.79%; Krohn was recalled by a vote of 51.02% to 48.98%.[2]
Two candidates ran in the March 3 election to replace Drew Glover if he was recalled: Renee Golder and Tim Fitzmaurice. Voters selected Golder over Fitzmaurice by a vote of 59.5% to 38.9%. Write-in candidates received 1.83% of the vote.[2] Golder was elected to serve the remaining three years of Glover's term.[4]
Two candidates also ran in the March 3 election to replace Chris Krohn if he was recalled: Katherine Beiers and Don Lane. Beiers beat Lane by a vote of 55.17% to 42.77%. Write-in candidates received 2.06% of the vote.[2] Beiers was elected to serve the remaining eight months of Krohn's term.[4]
Recall supporters
Petitions stated the following as reasons for the recall effort against Krohn:
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Councilmember Krohn repeatedly voted against closing the Ross Camp, while failing to pursue legal, realistic, and humane solutions to homelessness in the City of
Santa Cruz. By opposing the closure of the Ross Camp, he contradicted the recommendations of Fire Chief Hajduk and County Health Officer Leff, and endangered the
health and safety of Santa Cruz residents, both housed and unhoused.
Councilmember Krohn attempted to establish permanent RV parking sites and permanent homeless encampments in residential neighborhoods and city parks in
Santa Cruz, without regard for public safety or potential damage to local businesses, and without consulting neighborhood residents, the Fire Department, or the
Police Department.
Councilmember Krohn betrayed public trust and violated the Brown Act by requesting closed city council sessions to discuss relocation of the Ross Camp. He has
failed to work productively with council peers and City staff, and has neglected his duty as a Councilmember by walking out of two City Council sessions. He has failed
to abide by the Rules of Procedure for Conduct of City Council Business by refusing to treat his fellow Councilmembers with respect, and has demonstrated that he is
unfit to serve as a Councilmember of the City of Santa Cruz.[5]
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Petitions stated the following as reasons for the recall effort against Glover:
To view the full statement, click [show] to expand the section. | |
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Councilmember Glover has endangered public health and safety by repeatedly voting against closure of the Ross Camp. He participated on behalf of the plaintiffs in a
federal suit against the City to keep the Ross Camp open. In a sworn declaration, Glover falsely claimed that there was no health and safety risk at the Ross Camp,
contradicting the Fire Chief and County Health Officer. Glover has failed to pursue safe, humane, legal, and realistic solutions to homelessness in the City of Santa
Cruz.
Councilmember Glover has repeatedly attempted to establish permanent homeless encampments and overnight RV parking sites in residential neighborhoods and
city parks, without regard for public safety, and without consulting the Fire Department, Police Department, or neighborhood residents.
Councilmember Glover has introduced a culture of chaos, bullying and disruption to public meetings and general City business. His actions as a Councilmember,
including walking out of two active City Council sessions, fail to meet basic standards of conduct. He has failed to foster positive and productive relationships with
council peers and City staff. Glover has demonstrated through his actions and temperament that he is unfit to serve as a Councilmember of the City of Santa Cruz.[5]
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Recall opponents
Krohn submitted an official response to the recall effort against him.
To view the full statement, click [show] to expand the section. | |
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Please reject this recall. It is unnecessary and expensive. And it would be undemocratic, too:
The city holds regular elections every two years. The next regular council election is in 2020. I was honored to receive over 12,000 votes when elected. In this recall, a candidate who earned fewer votes could replace me. That is not democracy.
The recall's allegations against me are trumped-up and untrue. I am a strong advocate of open meetings, public process, and inclusive governance. I ask tough questions; I do my homework; I listen. I am striving to keep campers out of neighborhoods; and I deeply respect our Fire Chief. I pledge to keep lines of communication open.
If you care about protecting our neighborhoods from oversized, unaffordable developments like the Corridors Plan, and if you care about fighting the growth of UCSC — they're planning for 28,000 students! — then reject the recall.
If you want to see a new downtown library not buried in a garage, and keep high-rises off our historic wharf, reject this recall.
If you support protecting the environment and practicing compassion, reject this recall.
I know Santa Cruzans care about these issues and more. Protect our democracy. Reject this recall.[5]
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Glover submitted an official response to the recall effort against him.
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In my brief time on Council, with justice and equity as my primary concerns, my votes have been rooted in my belief that all people deserve dignity and opportunity. I believe that everyone in Santa Cruz deserves to be heard and represented.
These are tumultuous times, but I believe we share common values. We want Santa Cruz to be safe and prosperous. We want humane treatment of our most vulnerable residents, and to create a community that works for everyone.
I maintain that the claims made to disparage me in the recall efforts are false and misleading. There's been no scandal, and the personal attacks against my character cross a line. But in the end, I suppose that's just politics.
No politician has ever made everybody happy. I can't claim to make the impossible happen, but I can ensure that every voice is heard, to the best of my abilities.
Should any Santa Cruz resident ever want to talk to me personally, to learn more about the issues or to express your support/opposition to the policies that matter to you, please feel free to reach me on my email at dglover@cityofsantacruz.com[5]
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Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in California
Petitioners were required to submit 7,938 valid signatures. There were over 11,000 signatures submitted.
See also
External links
- ↑ Good Times, "With Santa Cruz Recall Underway, New Candidates Wade Into Race," December 3, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 County of Santa Cruz, California, "Election Results," accessed April 6, 2020
- ↑ Santa Cruz Sentinel, "Election 2020: Santa Cruz City Council to seat new members," April 5, 2020
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Santa Cruz Sentinel, "Latest Santa Cruz County election results static," March 14, 2020
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
