Gov. Newsom urged better days while speaking in front of 56,000 empty seats at Dodger Stadium.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged an exhausted state to dream of brighter days ahead during his annual State of the State address.

Newsom spoke Tuesday evening from an empty Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, surrounded by 56,000 seats representing roughly the number of people who have died during the pandemic.

Newsom said his public health decisions — including the nation’s first statewide shutdown order — saved lives.

He acknowledged mistakes, though did not articulate them.

The speech comes at a critical time as Newsom will likely face a recall election later this year fueled by widespread anger over his handling of the pandemic.