Caitlyn Jenner Announces Run For California Governor

LOS ANGELES, CA — Reality TV star, Olympian and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner announced she filed papers Friday to officially run for governor in the anticipated recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom in the fall.

Election officials are expected to verify that enough valid signatures have been collected to trigger a recall election as early as this month or in early May. Jenner, a Republican, instantly became the biggest name in the race.

“I'm in,” she wrote on her website. “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."

Though Jenner has no background in government, the barrier-breaking presidential election of fellow reality TV star Donald Trump paved the way for political outsiders such as Jenner. Newsom's opponents including organizers of the recall effort have focused on frustration with his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The governor's lockdown measures raised the ire of Republicans statewide while testing the patience of Newsom's own supporters.

Jenner latched onto that theme, saying, "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."

The recall requires valid signatures from 1,495,709 registered voters, 12% of the 12,464,235 votes cast in the 2018 gubernatorial election, according to the Secretary of State's Office. The Secretary of State's Office already confirmed 1.2 valid signatures collected.

Newsom said he expected the recall to qualify for the ballot, and his supporters have mounted a campaign to discourage prominent Democrats from running. Already, the Newsom camp is attempting to tie Jenner to Trump, a deeply unpopular figure in the state.

Newsom's campaign quickly circulated a fundraising email, saying Jenner "is working closely with Donald Trump's former presidential campaign manager."

On Friday, Newsom political adviser Dan Newman issued a statement saying, "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 Los Angeles County Democratic Party also responded to the announcement, writing on Twitter, "You know what -- California is worth fighting for, that's why we're going to do everything we can to stop this Republican Recall."

The party referred to Jenner and other announced Republican candidates, saying they "are set to waste taxpayer time and money."

Newsom has criticized the need for a special recall election, calling it a "waste of time" and money because the 2022 gubernatorial primary will be a few months later.

Jenner has been a vocal advocate for the transgender community after coming out as a trans woman in 2015 and changing her name from Bruce to Caitlyn. Her election would make her the most prominent trans woman in politics.

Jenner rose to fame as a gold medal Olympian. A younger generation of Califonrians were introduced to Jenner as the then-husband of Kris Jenner on the reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and the spin-off “I Am Cait.”

However, with her name recognition comes questions about her ability to potentially lead the nation’s most populous state.

She is untested as a candidate and little is known about her positions on critical issues facing the state, from the coronavirus pandemic to managing the economy.

Jenner credits herself with advancing the movement for equality, but the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality California said it would oppose her candidacy, citing her ties to Trump and Republicans who have sought to undercut transgender rights.

Still, with her name recognition and ability to attract publicity, she could overshadow other GOP contenders, including former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor’s race.

The last time California held a recall election for governor, in 2003, 135 candidates officially ran for the seat held by Democrat Gray Davis. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won the race with 48.5% of the vote. Schwarzenegger was re-elected to a full four-year term in 2006.

There are signs that this recall race would be a similar political circus. One of the candidates in that race, retired adult-film actress Mary Carey, has also announced that she will compete in the Newsom recall election.

City News Service, the Associated Press and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.