Caitlyn Jenner appearing on Jimmy Kimmel in 2017. (Screenshot via YouTube)
LOS ANGELES | In an announcement on her website and confirmed on social media, Caitlyn Jenner announced April 23 that she is running for governor of California. Jenner, 71, a longtime outspoken member of the Republican Party, would face incumbent Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in a likely recall election against Newsom later this year.
Being a transgender female, her race is a historic first as she is the first high-profile trans person to run for a governor’s office.
“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,” a statement on her website reads. “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’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
Equality California hosted eight LGBTQ lawmakers and community leaders in a Zoom teleconference in March after which 57 LGBTQ elected officials throughout California released a joint statement opposing the recall effort saying in part; “Governor Newsom’s leadership has earned the trust of LGBTQ+ Californians, and our community stands ready to defeat a recall.”
Jenner, a transgender activist, enters the political race to replace Newsom as fellow Republicans in over 25 states are pushing dozens of bills in state houses that target trans youth and their families.
Jenner has had an uneasy relationship with the LGBTQ community, especially with Black trans activists, over the past decade or so for her positions supporting GOP politics. In 2020, Jenner described herself as “economically conservative, socially progressive” in a People magazine interview.
Jenner came under fire for her early support of Republican President Donald Trump, who the former reality TV star broke with after Trump’s administration enacted a ban against trans military service and after the New York Times reported in October 2018 Trump was considering officially defining gender as biological and fixed.
In a Washington Post column in 2018, Jenner admitted her position had been a “mistake.”
“The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president,” she wrote.
She went on to accuse Trump in her column of using the trans community as “political pawns.”
“The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalized and struggling community,” she added. “He has ignored our humanity. He has insulted our dignity.”
Jenner has not yet stated her policy positions on issues that affect the over 40 million Californians, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which triggered the recall effort against Newsom, especially with Republican dominant areas of the Golden State.
The other hot button issue, beyond economic recovery as a result of the pandemic, is California’s struggle with a massive homeless population statewide but especially in Los Angeles County. For example, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter told LA officials April 22 to offer shelter by October to more than 4,600 people living on Skid Row.
Trump’s former campaign manager, Brad Parscale, is helping Jenner assemble an inner circle. Also slated to join the campaign effort is longtime Republican strategist Ryan Erwin, a veteran of California and presidential politics who would become the campaign’s general consultant; and GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren.
The recall effort has yet to clear the final hurdles needed to qualify for the fall ballot, including legal actions and needing legislative approval. Additionally, a provision for allowing voters a 30-day window to withdraw their names, if they choose, must be held in the approval process.
A poll released late last month showed that a majority of California’s voters are inclined to keep Newsom in office as opposed to removing him in a recall effort.
In a recall election ballot, California voters would be asked two questions: first, whether Newsom should be removed from office. The second would be a list of replacement candidates to choose from. This happens should more than 50% of voters in the recall election support removing Newsom from office.
Outside of Jenner’s announcement, other Republicans who have announced their intention to run include businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor’s race, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose.
