# Cali recall - what happens if Davis resigns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 4, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519 "2003-09-04T14:09:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/1 "2003-09-04T14:09:41Z")
Couldn’t Davis resign, and the next in line (Bustamonte I think) becomes gov? If yes, why don’t they do it already? ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/2 "2003-09-04T14:26:00Z")
The recall stops and Bustamante is governor…cased closed…🆒 ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/3 "2003-09-04T14:28:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frixxxx \* > \*\*The recall stops and Bustamante is governor…cased closed…🆒 \*\* Oh…second part…They are not friends…They have different stances on alot of issues…I heard Bustamamante say they’ve seen each other like 5 times in the last 2 years…But that’s a political convo… ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/4 "2003-09-04T14:37:14Z")
So I wonder if they are going to pull this trick at the last minute if need be. Although I’m sure people would be pissed that they (the gov) wasted all that money on the recall. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/5 "2003-09-04T14:38:05Z")
Expect an immediate drive to recall Bustamante, then … ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/6 "2003-09-04T14:42:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > \*\*Expect an immediate drive to recall Bustamante, then … \*\* Isn’t the Viper alarm guy the one who mostly bankrolled it for the Reps? I think they just recently threw his dried up husk onto the side of the road, so finding that kind of money again could be tricky. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/7 "2003-09-04T14:42:55Z")
frixxx, you’re an idiot. If Davis resigns, Cruz Bustamante becomes Governor for a few months; the election continues, Cruz is back to #2 (unless he wins), and we have a Republican Governor (unless Bustamante wins). State law provides that a vacancy created in the office after a recall petition has been filed **does not stop the recall election**. Instead, the election would be held and Davis would still be listed in Question 1 of the ballot. (Elections Code sec. 11302) ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/8 "2003-09-04T14:44:23Z")
Alas nothing that simple **frixxxx** A good summary can be found [here](http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/insider/archives/000371.html) Basically, once the recall has been filed, the recall goes ahead If Davis does resign, Bustamente becomes governor until the election ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/9 "2003-09-04T14:45:49Z")
So, worst case Cruz stays #2 or possibly becomes #1? Won’t that be a strange relationship if a Rep wins? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/10 "2003-09-04T14:51:55Z")
Ok, thanks guys, makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/11 "2003-09-04T14:59:59Z")
Actually, the Governor and Lt Governor run independently, not as running mates like the current US Presidential system, so a disparity between parties is not that unlikely under normal circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Robbbbb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9a140/32.png) [@Robbbbb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robbbbb)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/12 "2003-09-04T15:23:29Z")
What I want to know is, could Davis be recalled and Bustamante be elected to governor, and then Bustamante could appoint Davis to be Lt. Governor, and then Bustamante promptly resign, making Davis governor again? I seriously doubt a scenario like this would happen, but I’ve been wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/13 "2003-09-04T15:29:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*So, worst case Cruz stays #2 or possibly becomes #1? > \*\* If Davis did resign and Cruz bacame governor, then his position after the election isn’t really addressed in any law that I have seen. He could be out of a job altogether, or maybe he would be both Governor and Lt. Governor :dubious: Luckily, this isn’t going to happen. [Robert Anton Wilson for governor](http://www.rawilson.com/prethought.shtml)!!! ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/14 "2003-09-04T15:36:16Z")
Davis has been elected twice as Governor – I believe term limits prevent him from serving again. Besides, I really, really doubt Bustamante is inclined to do Davis any favors. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/15 "2003-09-04T16:02:41Z")
**Nametag** , do not tag names to people in this forum. It is prohibited. See **Tapioca Dextrin** ’s post for an example of how to respond appropriately in GQ. Please do not do this again. Thank you. - **xash** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/16 "2003-09-04T17:09:34Z")
California had a governor and lieutenant governor from separate parties from 1978-1998. And in the last two governors who had lieutenant governors from the same party: Davis with Bustamante now and Jerry Brown with Mervin Dymally back from 1974-78, the relationship between the offices was often stormy. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/17 "2003-09-04T17:35:48Z")
Anyone picturing some new Odd Couple reality series with Ahnold and Cruz? I don’t thing Cruz could “pick” Davis as LT, anyway, if **UB** is correct in that the offices run seperately. ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/18 "2003-09-04T20:03:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tapioca Dextrin \* > \*\*Alas nothing that simple **frixxxx** > > A good summary can be found [here](http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/insider/archives/000371.html) > > Basically, once the recall has been filed, the recall goes ahead > > If Davis does resign, Bustamente becomes governor until the election \*\* Thanks for the update there **TD**. I was surprised to see that someone actually addressed this. I live in So Cal and alot of people just shrug their shoulders at this issue. I’m now sending this link to a few of my friends who are "misinformed. ":smack: ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-recall-what-happens-if-davis-resigns/199519/19 "2003-09-04T20:50:21Z")
's OK **frixxxx** I just typed “gray davis resign question” into [google](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=gray+davis+resign+question) and out popped the answer. Second link on second page.