Print Continue to article content In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Kevin Faulconer speaks during the California GOP fall convention in Indian Wells, Calif. | Chris Carlson, File/AP Former San Diego mayor to officially launch GOP challenge to Newsom OAKLAND, Calif. — With the Gov. Gavin Newsom recall movement gaining intensity in California, Republican Kevin Faulconer on Monday said he will become the first major elected official to officially launch a gubernatorial campaign to challenge the Democratic leader. Faulconer, who was San Diego mayor for more than six years, told POLITICO in an interview Monday he will run in the recall election should the drive qualify by the mid-March deadline. He will formally announce his campaign Tuesday at a Los Angeles campaign event with parents frustrated by school closures.