Judge rules California must include Larry Elder on recall ballot

Newsom to face recall election on Sept. 14

California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to face a recall election on Sept. 14. It will cost the state more than $250 million. KTVU's Jana Katsuyama spoke with some of Newsom's Republican opponents.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A California judge ruled Wednesday that conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder must be included on the recall election ballot after he was previously blocked.

Elder has joined the list of candidates hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Shortly after the judge's decision, Elder tweeted that the ruling was a "total victory."

Elder announced his campaign July 12, but he was blocked from the contest by state election officials who say he filed incomplete federal tax return information that is required to become a candidate.

Elder disputed that, saying he was the target of political "shenanigans" by Democrats aligned with Newsom who didn't want him on the Sept. 14 ballot.

"I’ve complied with everything the law requires of me to run in this recall election," he stated earlier.

Elder’s case is one of several court scuffles as California moves toward finalizing the list of candidates for the election. A preliminary list released Tuesday included 42 candidates.