Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner announced a run for California governor in the looming recall vote to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Jenner has reportedly recruited several GOP campaign operatives for the campaign.
Caitlyn Jenner, file screen image.
Politico reported two weeks ago on the cast of GOP campaign veterans being assembled by Jenner (excerpt):
Jenner has brought aboard a team of seasoned GOP strategists. The team includes Ryan Erwin, a former top official at the California Republican Party who had roles on Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush’s presidential campaigns, who is serving as a general consultant. According to two people familiar with the hires, she has also tapped Harmeet Dhillon, a Republican national committeewoman and San Francisco-based attorney, to be general counsel.
Jenner has also been working with Caroline Wren, a longtime Republican fundraiser, and Brad Parscale, a former campaign manager to ex-President Donald Trump.
The four are expected to attend next week’s meeting with Jenner and her manager, Sophia Hutchins. Jenner has also been conferring with other Republicans about the race, including Dave Rexrode, the executive director of the Republican Governors Association.
Jenner,71, is a transgender female formerly known as Bruce Jenner who first came to fame as a gold medal winning decathlon athlete in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Bruce Jenner became a reality TV star in the 2000s thanks to his marriage to now ex-wife Kris Jenner featured in the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians about their blended family. Bruce transitioned to Caitlyn in 2015. Jenner has six children from three marriages.
The petition drive to recall Newsom reportedly has over two million signatures, well over the 1.5 million threshold. The recall signatures are set to be verified next week. The AP reported on the recall and the other prominent GOP candidates. No Democrat is running against Newsom. (Excerpt):
…”John Cox, a businessman who lost to Newsom in 2018 and is running again…Beyond Cox, the top Republicans in the race so far are former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and ex-U.S. Rep. Doug Ose, who last held office in 2005.”
Jenner spoke earlier this week of running as a “lgbt fiscal conservative and socially liberal candidate”
They don’t want a #lgbt fiscal conservative and socially liberal candidate running. I am with Californians and will decide soon. I have been here for 45+ years and love CA
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 18, 2021
I’m in! California is worth fighting for. Visit https://t.co/a1SfOAMZQ3 to follow or donate today. #RecallNewsom pic.twitter.com/9yCck3KK4D
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 23, 2021
Press release by Jenner:
Caitlyn Jenner Files Initial Paperwork to Run for Governor of California
Los Angeles County – Caitlyn Jenner today filed paperwork to run for Governor of California. Visit CaitlynJenner.com to follow her campaign to get California moving in the right direction as more updates will be announced in the coming weeks.
“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. 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.
“I have been a compassionate disruptor throughout my life, from representing the United States and winning a gold medal at the Olympics to helping advance the movement for equality. As Californians, we face a now-or-never opportunity to fundamentally fix our state before it’s too late. Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn’t afraid to do what is right. I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom’s disastrous time as governor.
“Californians want better and deserve better from their governor. For too long, career politicians have over-promised and under-delivered. We need a leader with a vision and the resolve to see it through. This will be a campaign of solutions, providing a roadmap back to prosperity to turn this state around and finally clean up the damage Newsom has done to this state.
“Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown. An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school, participating in activities, or socializing with their friends. Taxes are too high, killing jobs, hurting families, and putting an especially heavy burden on our most vulnerable people.
“This isn’t the California we know. This is Gavin Newsom’s California, where he orders us to stay home but goes out to dinner with his lobbyist friends.
“In the next few weeks, I will meet with Californians from across the state—from the North Bay to the Central Valley to Orange County and San Diego—to hear their voices and finally get this state moving in the right direction. The significance of this decision is not lost on me. The sacrifice is significant, but responsibility is great, and I can’t wait to lead, to help and most importantly to disrupt the status quo once again.
“I’m in!”
A formal announcement to follow in the coming weeks.
This campaign will be powered by everyday Californians who deserve leadership that is accountable to them, not the special interests in Sacramento. Please make a contribution and join the fight!
