Caitlyn Jenner is officially in the running to be governor of California.
The reality star, 71, has launched a campaign website following rumours earlier this month that she was considering running for the position to replace Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom in what looked set to be a recall election.
Now she has officially filed the paperwork, Caitlyn intends to “fix” the state “before it’s too late”, and is campaigning against high taxes.
She has put together a team of Republicans to help her with her bid, including members who helped Trump on his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
Her advisors have confirmed she will talk to anyone regardless of their political leanings, and is running as a socially liberal but financially conservative candidate.
Caitlyn has been a Republican her entire life, though did criticise some of former president Donald Trump’s policies – particularly those pertaining to LGBT rights and guidelines which allowed transgender students to use the bathroom which matched their gender identity.
(Image: NINA PROMMER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
As a trans woman and trans rights activist, Caitlyn was outspoken of her regret for her support for Trump, admitting to The Washington Post that she was “wrong” about his policies.
“The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president,” Caitlyn wrote in 2018. “The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalised and struggling community.”
In a new statement, the I’m a Celeb star said: “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.
(Image: PA)
“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.”
Caitlyn went on: “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.”
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star continued: “Californians want better and deserve better from their governor. For too long, career politicians have over-promised and under-delivered.”
Caitlyn dubbed the state’s COVID-19 lockdown policies “over-restrictive”, and insisted that they have “devastated” small businesses throughout the pandemic.
(Image: Getty Images for Annenberg Found)
In a tweet, Caitlyn encouraged her followers to vote for her and donate to her campaign, writing: “I’m in! California is worth fighting for.”
However, she is in for a tough race, as California is a notoriously Democratic state – and Caitlyn has never run for office before.
Current governor Gavin Newsom has been criticised for his handling of the pandemic, and hit headlines when he was slammed for eating out at a restaurant despite urging Californians to stay inside.
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Caitlyn is calling for a recall election, which would see Newsom ejected from office before his term has officially ended.
If her efforts are successful, voters would be asked to choose who should replace him, though polls indicate only 40% of voters support the move.
It is not the first time a famous name has disrupted the USA’s political atmosphere – in 2003, Terminator actor and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger won a recall election against Gray Davis, and was re-elected in 2006.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
