Reality star and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner announced she plans to run for California governor against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in an expected recall election later this year.
Jenner, a longtime Republican, filed paperwork in Los Angeles County and announced her intent to run for office on Friday morning. Her bid is the most high profile run for office by a transgender person in the the country.
“California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality,” Jenner said in a news release. “But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.”
Jenner began exploring a way to get into politics earlier this year and has been working with a group of GOP strategists, including Brad Parscale, who ran former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Newsom campaign spokesman Dan Newman released a statement in response to Jenner’s campaign announcement.
“We always knew the Republican recall would be a ludicrous circus full of Trump-supporters, which only reinforces how much Californians appreciate Governor Newsom’s competent compassionate experienced leadership during an unprecedented series of crises,” the statement read.
Jenner spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland and voted for Trump but revoked support in October 2018 over his anti-LGBTQ policies. The 71-year-old is running as someone socially liberal and fiscally conservative.
A poll released this month shows those of favor in recalling Newsom at just 40 percent while 60 percent of Californians are hoping he gets another term. If a majority votes to recall Newsom, voters will select from a group of candidates vying to replace him.
