Make California Gold Again

Make California Gold Again is a political movement in California established as the campaign slogan for Sarah Stephens during her 2021 candidacy in the gubernatorial recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom. The movement advocates for lowering taxes and reducing government regulations while promoting positions on social issues. After the 2021 election, the movement has continued to engage in activism including opposition to legislation in state hearings. The slogan reflects a call to restore prosperity in the state.

History

Make California Gold Again started as the campaign theme for Sarah Stephens in the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Stephens, a gubernatorial candidate with a Riverside mailing address, was one of 46 replacement candidates on the ballot. Following the election, the movement has persisted with involvement in public hearings such as opposition to bills in the 2024 Assembly Standing Committee on Education. The movement has been connected to events that received attention.

Sarah Stephens, the founder of the movement, is a pastor from Riverside County who was born and raised in San Diego. She is married and has five children. In 2020, Stephens and her husband reported a combined income of $49,452 and paid $2,530 in federal taxes. Stephens is known as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and became politically active during protests involving groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa in Los Angeles.

Ideology and platform

The movement calls for lowering taxes and regulations along with reducing spending on programs considered unproductive. It supports pro-life positions and the right to bear arms. On education, it favors school choice and opposes curricula described as indoctrination while allowing home-schooled and charter school students to join public school activities. The movement opposes restrictions on in-person religious services. Stephens has claimed that vitamin D and sunlight can be used in treatment of COVID-19. The movement aligns with wider conservative initiatives in California.

Activities

During the 2021 campaign, Stephens participated in a protest in Palos Verdes on August 11, 2021. She addressed a rally in downtown Los Angeles. The movement has ties to "Save Our Children" events. On August 29, 2021, Stephens organized a Freedom Rally in Huntington Beach while promoting the Newsom recall. In 2021, Stephens appeared on media outlets to discuss her campaign and political views. In 2024, representatives from the movement testified against AB 1955 in a state assembly committee hearing.