https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/08/07/who-the-heck-is-kevin-paffrath-recall-might-make-him-governor/

Democrats gambled when they bet all their chips on Gov. Gavin Newsom, discouraging any other big names in the party from joining the Republican-led recall.

As recently as a few months ago, when most polls predicted Newsom would easily hold onto his seat during the Sept. 14 recall, that bet looked pretty safe.