Conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder.
California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder told a mostly maskless crowd inside a San Jose church this week that he would repeal coronavirus mask and vaccine mandates imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom – if Newsom loses next month's recall election and Elder collects enough votes to replace him.
"This man that I'm going to defeat on September 14, he shut down the state in the most severe way than any of the other 49 governors have," Elder told the audience, according to San Francisco's KGO-TV. "When I get elected, assuming there are still facemask mandates and vaccine mandates, they will be repealed right away and then I'll break for breakfast."
Everything you need to know before you vote in the California governor recall election
Elder, a conservative radio talk show host, spoke at Calvary Chapel, whose leaders repeatedly defied indoor gathering restrictions last year and were fined more than $1 million, according to FOX 2 of the Bay Area.
"I know how difficult it is to run a business," Elder told the crowd. "Many of them never succeed. Those who do succeed, often run on very thin profit margins, often from payroll to payroll. A third of all small businesses in California are now gone forever because [Newsom] ignored science."
This browser does not support the Video element.
The Issue Is: Larry Elder and Miguel Cardona
Elex sits down with Larry Elder on his run for governor and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona discusses the future of schools and vaccines.
Attendee Lynn Schultz told KGO she likes Elder.
"He's a business guy, he's well-known, he's well-spoken and a lot of his ideas will fit well with the state," she said.
Lisa Disbrow said, "We have an opportunity to get rid of a tyrant who just yesterday threw everyone connected to education under the vax bus," referring to Newsom's announcement that teachers will be required to get the vaccine or get tested regularly.
Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.
Elder is leading the challengers hoping to oust Newsom from office, polls show. Other prominent Republicans running in the recall include businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in 2018; former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer; state Assembly member Kevin Kiley and former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose.
Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Get updates to this story from FOX News.