With 2022 campaign on the horizon, Gov. Newsom has the public stage to himself

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a Republican-led effort to recall him plummeted to defeat in September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom's prospects of gliding into a second term in 2022 appear as golden as the $23 million he has socked away for his reelection campaign.

Newsom is all but alone on the public stage with just six months to go before the June statewide primary, a testament to his dominating win in September and perhaps reflective of a post-election hangover among those who tried to oust him. Though a few of the Republicans who tried unsuccessfully to unseat Newsom in the recall said they would consider challenging the governor's reelection, those opposition campaigns remain dormant for now.

At this point in the last race for California governor, the field of candidates was wide and two debates had been staged.

Republican campaign consultant Tim Rosales said anyone should be sober about the odds of dethroning the "800-pound gorilla" — Newsom.

"Even those who seem unbeatable can take a dive," said Rosales, who worked for GOP candidates in the 2018 gubernatorial race and this