High-stakes poker pro Doug Polk is going all-in — not at the tables, but in local politics.
Polk, a well-known figure in the poker community, has launched an official campaign to recall Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman from office. Frustrated with Goodman’s public statements and approach to the COVID-19 crisis, Polk has taken concrete steps beyond social media commentary.
The Recall Initiative
Polk has formed the Committee to Recall Carolyn Goodman and filed a notice of intent with the Las Vegas city clerk’s office. Those interested in supporting or learning more about the effort can visit RecallCarolynGoodman.com to sign the petition or request a recall kit.
“We are recalling the mayor because over the last few weeks, she has failed to represent her constituency responsibly,” Polk said in a recent interview with ABC 13 Las Vegas. “Not only in her clear disregard for public health, but also with her support for the casino owners over the people of Las Vegas… She is unfit to serve as the mayor of Las Vegas.”
The CNN Interview That Sparked a Movement
Mayor Goodman gained national attention — and controversy — following an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, in which she advocated for a laissez-faire reopening of Las Vegas and distanced herself from responsibility for public health.
“I am not a private owner,” Goodman said. “That’s the competition in this country. The free enterprise and to be able to make sure that what you offer the public meets the needs of the public… That’s not the mayor’s job.”
The interview drew widespread criticism for what many perceived as a tone-deaf and incoherent stance on the city’s responsibility to protect its citizens during a public health crisis.
What’s Next?
To trigger a recall election, Polk and his committee must collect approximately 6,500 valid signatures from voters who participated in the 2019 Las Vegas mayoral election.
While the odds may seem long, Polk is no stranger to strategy — and if his poker career is any indication, he’s more than capable of going the distance when the stakes are high.
