Local citizen’s group files to recall District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor is facing a recall again. A local citizen’s group has re-filed recall papers against District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson after missing a crucial deadline and terminating its first recall effort.

Gibson was originally served intent to recall papers on Oct. 27 from the Committee to Support the Recall of Supervisor Bruce Gibson (Committee). The Committee says it is a group comprised of “San Luis Obispo County concerned citizens and forgotten taxpayers from all walks of life and party affiliations. The Committee firmly believes that a change in leadership is necessary to restore the values and integrity of San Luis Obispo County.”

The initial papers stated, “Gibson has abused his powers as a supervisor by getting rid of county administrative officer Wade Horton and replacing him with a political contributor.”

The petition also accused Gibson of betraying the trust of voters by repealing the 2022 district boundaries in an effort to ensure his re-election. Gibson won re-election for the supervisor seat last year by 13 votes against contender Bruce Jones.

Only a few weeks later, the intent to recall was terminated due to a missed deadline outlined in the California Elections Code. 

The recall proponents failed to submit two blank petition copies and proof of publication of intent within the required 10-day period following Supervisor Gibson’s response to the recall filing on Oct. 31. According to a press release submitted by the County Clerk Recorder’s office, section 11042 requires the proponents of a recall effort to submit two blank copies of the petition to be circulated, along with proof of publication of intent “at least once in a newspaper of general circulation,” within 10 days of that answer.

The deadline for submission was Nov. 13, but the petitioner only attempted to file the documents on Nov. 15. The recall proponents had the option to initiate a new effort — restarting from the beginning of the process — and they took it.

After proof of publication of the intent to recall has been filed with the SLO County Clerk Recorder’s Office, the Committee will have 10 days to file their proposed petition. Next comes collecting signatures. 

Since Gibson was elected in the former district boundary map, the petition may only be signed by voters in that boundary version of District 2. Then, only 20 percent of registered voters of that boundary is needed for the county to hold an election for the recall.

You can stay up to date on current recall efforts here slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/All-Services/Elections-and-Voting/Current-Recall-Efforts.aspx

Atascadero News is following this story and will update as more information becomes available.