Caitlyn Jenner May Run For Governor: Reports

MALIBU, CA — It may soon be déjà vu all over again in California. For the second time, a star-athlete-turned-entertainer may run as a Republican candidate to replace an embattled Democratic governor facing a possible recall election in November.

Axios reported Tuesday confirmed that Malibu resident Caitlyn Jenner—a former Olympic track star and reality star who became one of the first high-profile transgender celebrities—is seriously considering running for governor in November’s recall election. If elected, Jenner, 71, would be the state’s first woman, LGBTQ, or transgender governor.

According to Axios, Jenner has been meeting with high-profile GOP operatives, including Caroline Wren, a fundraiser who helped organize the Jan. 6 rally that preceded the Capitol insurrection.

Jenner, who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 (though not in 2020, and publicly criticized his administration’s anti-transgender policies) and describes herself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal, is considered a long shot in a crowded field of Republican hopefuls. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman John Cox, and former Rep. Doug Ose have already confirmed they will run if there is a recall.

“It’s more substantial than Gary Coleman but nearly as substantial as Arnold Schwarzenegger,” GOP strategist and Schwarzenegger advisor Rob Stutzman told the Los Angeles Times, referencing a 2003 gubernatorial bid by the “Different Strokes” actor. “I don’t know if this would be considered a game-changer. What Newsom’s team has to worry about is the recall now going into the realm of tabloid media.”

“Caitlyn Jenner is never going to be governor of California, but she may get herself a new show on a streamer out of all this,” an industry insider told Deadline. Jenner, whose presence on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” has dwindled in recent seasons, hasn’t had a steady television presence since her 2015-16 E! reality series “I Am Cait.”

Instead, she has been dipping her toe into political waters. In 2018, she told New York businessman and radio host John Catsimatidis that she was considering running for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, but nothing came of that.

Jenner told Catsimatidis, and later CNN’s Don Lemon, that she wanted to run for office in order to improve LGBTQ rights.

“Over the next six months or so I gotta find out where I can do a better job,” Jenner said. “Can I do a better job from the outside working the perimeter of the political scene, being open to talking to anybody, or are you better off from the inside?”

Jenner has taken the “outside” route in the past few years, promoting LGBTQ rights and speaking out against anti-trans legislation via the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation, whose goal is to “ [promote] equality and combats discrimination by providing grants to organizations that empower & improve the lives of transgender people.”

Jenner has also spoken out against Newsom. On Monday, she retweeted a note about L.A. County’s COVID-19 lockdown that included the comment, “The power @GavinNewsom has is ridiculous.”

Newsom has faced criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as other long-term problems like homelessness and high cost of living. Recall organizers say they have obtained 2.1 million signatures, exceeding the 1.5 million needed before April 29 to qualify for the ballot. However, state officials are still verifying signatures, and had only validated 1.2 million as of mid-March.

A March statewide poll indicated that only 40% of California voters would support recalling Newsom if the election were held today, while 56% would vote no.

Still, a lot can change between now and November. If the state is able to successfully reopen without a surge in cases, Newsom might be safe. But that’s far from guaranteed, and perhaps Gov. Jenner will be tasked with cleaning it up.

Reps for Jenner have declined to confirm the rumors or comment on the story.

Related coverage:

Would You Vote To Recall Gov. Newsom? Patch Readers Weigh In | Los Angeles, CA Patch

Former California Cop Leads GOP Dream Of Newsom Recall | San Francisco, CA Patch

Newsom Slams Recall, Launches Counter-Campaign | Los Angeles, CA Patch

Newsom Talks 'Brighter Days' In CA Address As Recall Threat Looms | Across California, CA Patch

Kanye West Listed On CA Ballot As Veep For Far-Right Party | Calabasas, CA Patch

Question: Would you vote for Caitlyn Jenner? Comment below or email michael.wittner@patch.com.