California Recall Puts Governor’s Pandemic Leadership to the Test

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday will be the first governor in a recall election to face voters divided over Covid-19 restrictions and collectively angry about a pandemic that continues to upend lives nationwide.

State leaders around the U.S. have exercised broad authority to try to safeguard the health and well-being of both their residents and economies over the past 18 months, including decisions that have drawn fire from all sides.

Mr. Newsom’s performance will be the first judged by voters. The Democratic governor is staking his political survival on measures he took...