John Cox Stumping In Palm Desert, Minus Bear

PALM DESERT, CA — Republican gubernatorial candidate and businessman John Cox is stopping in Palm Desert Wednesday, although he will be without Tag — a Kodiak bear the candidate first used in his official campaign kickoff event in Sacramento last week.

The candidate's "Meet the Beast Bus Tour" will make a stop at Castelli's Restaurant, located at 73098 Highway 111. Cox and his team will be there beginning at 11 a.m.

Cox, who is running to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall election later this year, used the animal to illustrate his campaign theme of "Beauty and the Beast." Newsom, who Cox presents as an elitist out of touch with the needs of Californians, is the "beauty" in that equation. Cox has called Newsom the "Pretty Boy Governor."

"The beautiful politicians have failed California," Cox said. "We need big beastly changes to save it. I'll cut taxes, make California more affordable and shake up Sacramento."

The controversial campaign tactic drew ire from animal rights groups, although Cox claimed the bear is tame and well taken care of.

Tag is 9 years old and was born in captivity. He has appeared on TV shows, and comes from Working Wildlife in Kern County. The business rents out wild animals for entertainment purposes.

Campaign press secretary Anthony Ramirez told City News Service that Tag had prior engagements on Wednesday and could not make the Palm Desert event. Tag joined Cox at two events in San Diego on Tuesday.

After the Sacramento appearance, Tag was absent at subsequent Cox campaign events. When asked Tuesday if the campaign would discontinue usage of Tag, Ramirez said it was "to be determined."

"The bear represents the beastly changes that John Cox would make to save California," Ramirez said. "Every care was taken to ensure Tag's comfort and safety with the approval of several government agencies. California needs beastly change and that may ruffle some feathers of left wing activists."

Last week, Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, said he was "disappointed and appalled" to see Cox parade a live bear to his press conference in Sacramento.

"Two years ago I introduced SB 313, which was signed into law and bans the use of wild animals in circuses. While the letter of the law pertained to circuses, the spirit of the law protected animals, such as Kodiak bears, from being used in events as props, such as Mr. Cox's publicity stunt," Hueso said.

Senate Bill 313 was signed into law in 2019 by Newsom and protects wild or exotic animals by prohibiting any person from sponsoring, conducting, operating or participating in a circus that uses any animal other than a domestic dog, domestic cat or domesticated horse.

Judie Mancuso, the founder and CEO of the political advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation, also had choice words for Cox following the campaign stunt.

"It was horrific to see the blatant disrespect for wildlife coming from political candidate, John Cox, today," she said. "Californians love their wildlife, and the last thing we want to see is a 1,000-pound bear dragged around the state to somehow make up for a politician's brawn that he aspires to own."

Newsom bested Cox in the 2018 gubernatorial race by nearly three million votes.

The field of Republican challengers includes former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, reality TV star and Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner and former Rep. Doug Ose.

Newsom has criticized the need for a special recall election, calling it a "waste of time" and money because the 2022 gubernatorial primary will be a few months later.

Newsom and his allies have tried to link recall supporters to former President Donald Trump, who is extremely unpopular in California.