The state Republican Party targeted Newman over his support last year for Senate Bill 1, which increased the gas tax and vehicle fees to pay for road and bridge repairs and mass transit improvements.
Newman was one of 81 legislators who backed the measure, but Republicans sought to tap voter discontent over the higher levies in this district, a longtime GOP stronghold previously represented by termed-out Republican Sen. Bob Huff.
The election was also a proxy battle between the state?s Democratic and Republican parties and a new Republican representative will hurt Democrats? ability to regain a supermajority in the state Legislature.
Carl DeMaio, a former member of the San Diego City Council who organized the recall, has said Newman was selected for a recall because of his narrow victory over Chang, a former Assemblywoman. Newman won that race by fewer than 2,500 votes out of nearly 318,000 cast.
DeMaio has called the move to target Newman the ?gazelle strategy,? which focuses on seemingly vulnerable Democrats.
Recalls are rare in California. Just five elected officials have been recalled since 1913.
Democratic leaders, including Gov. Jerry Brown, helped raise more than $4 million to fight Newman?s recall. Also, the Senate Democratic Caucus allowed the state Fair Political Practices Commission to lift a $4,400 cap on contributions to Newman's anti-recall campaign from other senators.
