California governor Gavin Newsom defeats recall election

California governor Gavin Newsom has beaten off a recall election (Jeff Chiu/AP)

California governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday became the second governor in US history to defeat a recall election aimed at kicking him out of office early.

After a contest he crafted as part of a national battle for his Democratic party’s values in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and lingering threats from Trumpism, the victory cemented Mr Newsom as a prominent figure in national Democratic politics, preserving his prospects for a future federal run.