Voting is currently underway in the California recall election that will determine whether or not Governor Gavin Newsom will finish his first term in office.
Among the Republicans hoping to unseat him is conservative radio host Larry Elder, who currently leads the crowded field of candidates lining up to slam Newsom's pandemic policies and the state of the state.
Though the race looked narrower last month, the margin has significantly widened in Newsom's favor as Elder continues to campaign.
A key talking point of Republicans nationwide is the prevalence of homelessness within the state, though this is often used as a means to discredit its Democratic leadership and portray homeless people as a nuisance, rather than a sincere call to action for housing Californians.
This week, Elder visited a homeless encampment in Venice, where the encampment's residents berated him for the photo-op.
Watch below
#HappeningNow - the homeless who live on Hampton and 3rd Ave in #venice don\u2019t seem happy to see @larryelder - some are shouting at him to leave and now following him as he tours an encampment @ABC7pic.twitter.com/CLMVwKskES— Josh Haskell (@Josh Haskell) 1631127122
One homeless woman, Sarah Duke, told the Los Angeles Times:
"He has no business down here. If you ain't going to help us, move ... on."
Elder's reception on social media was chilly as well, with users accusing him of exploiting the homeless for a photo opportunity.
That\u2019s what happens when you treat people as props and not humans. \n\nIf you\u2019re homeless in many states\u2014 you can still vote as long as you are registered. Let Larry know how you feel by voting NO on the #CARecallhttps://twitter.com/abc7joshhaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Tiff\u00e9loyx is Excessively Black (@Tiff\u00e9loyx is Excessively Black) 1631184379
Homeless people don't like being used as political pawns for photo ops.https://twitter.com/abc7JoshHaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Alexandra Datig | Front Page Index (@Alexandra Datig | Front Page Index) 1631128665
The unhoused are people - not political props.https://twitter.com/abc7joshhaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Sammy Lawrence (@Sammy Lawrence) 1631138864
Larry Elder was trying to use the house insecure communities as a photo op and they said NOPE.https://twitter.com/abc7JoshHaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Jason (Moderna Gay. One Piece stan) (@Jason (Moderna Gay. One Piece stan)) 1631155552
Really? Poverty tourism? People experiencing homelessness because of a broken system certainly have strong opinions on that system, and they Will tell you about it.https://twitter.com/abc7joshhaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Isaac \ud83d\udc1e (@Isaac \ud83d\udc1e) 1631180215
Others praised the hecklers for their determination.
Our houseless comrades know a sellout coward when they see onehttps://twitter.com/abc7joshhaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Sports Liker (@Sports Liker) 1631152672
Watching Larry Elder get run out of Venice is *chef\u2019s kiss*https://twitter.com/abc7joshhaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Dylan Park (@Dylan Park) 1631162406
God I love this song. The heckles are https://twitter.com/abc7JoshHaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— Travon Free (@Travon Free) 1631162012
Now that's how you get it done!!! https://twitter.com/abc7JoshHaskell/status/1435677326843412483\u00a0\u2026— missrelle86 (@missrelle86) 1631142504
Elder's team later left the encampment after an unknown woman in a gorilla mask thew an egg at him.
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