A U.S. lawmaker who provided major financial backing for the effort to oust California Governor Gray Davis has sharply criticized the federal court decision to delay the recall vote.
A two-term Republican congressman and former businessman, Darrell Issa, used $2 million of his personal fortune to support a petition drive against the Democratic California governor.
Mr. Issa says the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should be "swiftly and decisively overturned." "In this case, you have a group of people, Gray Davis, [California Lieutenant Governor] Cruz Bustamante, who are spending money to attempt to overthrow the will of the people," he said. "This is a legally-requested and certified election, in every way, shape or form."
Governor Davis earlier this year accused Mr. Issa of leading what he called a "hostile right-wing takeover" in California.
Mr. Issa calls Monday's court decision, "a judicial hijacking of the electoral process."
In its decision Monday, the California court allowed seven days for opponents of its order to appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court before it goes into effect.