Caitlyn Jenner has announced she has filed the paperwork to run for California governor. The former Olympic athlete and reality TV star will run as a Republican in the Democrat state.
A recall election in the state could be confirmed this month after a petition against current governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, reached the number required to trigger a vote. The state will ask voters if they want Newsom to stay or another candidate.
According to the Axios news site, Jenner has put together a team that includes some of former President Donald Trump’s advisers. “Californians want better and deserve better from the governor,” a statement from Jenner said, confirming the news on her Twitter account on Friday.
“For too long, career politicians have over-promised and under-delivered. We need a leader with the vision and resolve to see it through,” Jenner added. The 71-year-old trans woman promised that her campaign will be one of “solutions” and provide a “roadmap back to prosperity to turn this state around”.
Jenner added that she will formally launch her campaign for governor of California at a later date.
The last time California had a recall election for governor, it ended with actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the state’s top office. Caitlyn Jenner seems to be hoping that history repeats itself 18 years after the Terminator’s political success.
Caitlyn Jenner is arguably the highest-profile American to come out as transgender. Formerly Bruce Jenner, she announced she was transgender in 2015 in an interview with broadcaster Diane Sawyer on ABC. Jenner said she had been wrestling with her gender since childhood. The former athlete won a gold medal at the Montreal Games in 1976.
Before transitioning, Jenner was husband to Kris Jenner for 23 years. The pair have two daughters, Kendall and Kylie. The family were stars of the hit reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Caitlyn Jenner said her former step-daughter Kim Kardashian had been a big supporter of her transitioning.
