Politico: “Recall proponents have made a simple pitch: The Democratic governor’s pandemic mismanagement has devastated California’s economy and failed schoolchildren.”

“But a new statewide poll suggests those two pillars of anti-Newsom sentiment aren’t as sturdy as his foes think. The Public Policy Institute of California found 59 percent of likely voters approve of how Newsom has managed school reopening — and 59 percent approve how he has handled jobs and the economy.

“That figure is a few points higher than the share of likely voters who told PPIC in March they would vote to keep Newsom in office.”

New York Times: “After months of campaigning by Zoom and increasingly, at in-person events, the candidates are moving toward pricey on-air advertising, signaling the start of an aggressive chapter in the race, designed to capture the attention of voters who have yet to tune in to the most consequential mayoral contest in a generation.”

“The effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office reported Monday, marking a significant milestone in the more-than-year-long campaign to remove the head of the nation’s most populous state,” the Sacramento Bee reports.

California officials believe the cost of conducting the recall election could run as high as $400 million.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has scheduled the special election for the seat held by departing Rep. Steve Stivers (R) on the same day as the one he set for former Rep. Marcia Fudge (D), who is now HUD Secretary.

The primary for both elections will be on August 3. The general election will be November 2.

“Troy Carter fulfilled a long-held ambition Saturday when voters elected him to represent the 2nd Congressional District, triumphing over Karen Carter Peterson after a bruising campaign between two Democratic state senators from New Orleans who agreed on issues more often than not,” the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

“By all accounts, Carter will be a reliable supporter of President Joe Biden and the Democratic agenda in Washington, and he will likely work well with the other seven members of the state’s congressional delegation — all Republicans — for Louisiana spending projects.”

Carter was endorsed by former Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), who vacated the seat to join the Biden White House.

Harry Enten: “The New York City Democratic mayoral primary is now less than two months away, on June 22. The polls indicate that businessman and former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang continues to hold a clear lead in the first New York City mayoral election being held under ranked choice voting.”

“While Yang’s lead is surmountable, a look back over history suggests that front-runners at this point usually go on to win the primary.”

Patrick Ruffini: “Pay attention to the Yang play — launch futile Presidential bid to establish name ID for a race you’d otherwise have no business running in, leapfrogging a host of local pols. If it works, 25+ candidate fields could be the norm moving forward.”

“If all politics is national and it’s easier these days for everyone get their 15 minutes in a Presidential primary, this seems like a viable strategy in states where it’s impossible to break through like California, Texas, and New York.”

Jonathan Bernstein: “Never mind that most of the no-name candidates remained obscure, and never mind whether Yang could’ve found another path — if he becomes mayor after running for president, or even comes close, many in the political world are going to interpret his campaign as a savvy move, no matter how many counterexamples exist.”

A new Spectrum News NY1/Ipsos poll shows Andrew Yang firmly leading the New York City Democratic mayoral primary with the support of 22% of likely voters. He’s followed by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams at 13%.

It’s very early and few are paying attention but the polls have been remarkably consistent so far.

“Andrew Yang faced an onslaught of criticism Thursday after a video circulated of the leading mayoral candidate laughing when asked if he ‘choked bitches,'” Politico reports.

“In the video, someone asks the mayoral front-runner whether a man, ‘while he’s fucking bitches, can he keep his Timbs on?’ — a reference to Timberland boots. Yang said, ‘I think it’s purely up to your partner.'”

“The man continued by asking Yang whether he ‘chokes bitches,’ to which Yang laughed and backed away.”

Meanwhile, a new Data for Progress poll shows Yang expanding his lead over his Democratic primary rivals.