Former Trump administration official and regular conservative news network guest Richard Grenell announced that he is not running in the upcoming California recall election for Governor Gavin Newsom, Politico reports.
Grenell’s decision may have as much to do with Newsom’s popularity than his desire for the state’s top office. In recent polling, 57% of likely voters did not support the recall effort, while only 40% did.
A prolific GOP fundraiser, Grenell was the ambassador to Germany and then acting position of national intelligence under Donald Trump. Grenell has developed a following on social media for being belligerent and insulting to Democrats and President Joe Biden.