Democrat Gavin Newsom survives California recall election, will remain as governor, NBC News projects - CNBC

With 66% of the expected vote in, Newsom led with 5,619,538 votes, or 65.8%, against removing him from office, compared with 2,916,257 votes, or 34.2%, in favor of the recall.

Speaking at a press conference late Tuesday, Newsom thanked his supporters and said "no is not the only thing that was expressed tonight.".

The recall effort became just one of the several crises that Newsom, steward of the biggest state economy in the United States, had to juggle in the past year, in addition to wildfires, drought, rising costs of living and, of course, the pandemic.

Polling over the summer showed more of a tight race in the recall election but recently shifted in Newsom's favor.

Elder drummed up far more support than any of the challengers vying to succeed Newsom, holding a substantial lead over the rest of the field in recent polling.

As for Democratic candidates, Hollywood actor Patrick Kilpatrick and YouTube millionaire Kevin Paffrath ran to succeed Newsom.