Reality star Caitlyn Jenner recently announced that she would be running to become the governor of California.
Is Caitlyn Jenner really running for governor of California?
- Reality star Caitlyn Jenner recently announced that she would be running to become the governor of California.
- Despite being a former Olympic athlete, Jenner is primarily known for her highly publicized transition and is widely considered to be the most famous transgender woman in the world.
- While Jenner’s campaign for governor was shown to be receiving only about 6% support in a poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies/LA Times, this hasn’t deterred Jenner.
- “I have engaged some at this point. Obviously, it is still new, and I have a lot to learn on that subject. I’ve engaged with all voters. I talk every day to people. I mean, I go to the gas station, and I — you know, I ask the guy getting on the other side, ‘Hey, what, why are you still here? What are the problems with California?’ I constantly ask people,” Jenner said.
- In the same poll, researchers found that 76% of Californians have no intention of voting for Jenner, who is being compared to other famous Republican celebrities who have successfully run for governor of California.
How does Jenner compare to former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?
- The easiest comparison to make for Caitlyn Jenner’s run for governor is likely Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- Schwarzenegger served as the Republican governor of California from 2003 until 2011.
- Prior to his role as governor, Schwarzenegger was largely known for his many high profile roles in films like “The Terminator” and “Predator.”
- Despite not having any political experience, Schwarzenegger had the support of 65% of Californians six months into office but he ended up leaving office with an approval rating of just 23%.
- But Governor Schwarzenegger wasn’t the first celebrity governor of California.
What about Ronald Reagan?
- Republican icon Ronald Reagan has a legacy that extends far beyond his early career as an actor.
- While Reagan did not have a political position prior to his role as governor of California, he did serve as the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) which is basically the worker’s union for Hollywood actors.
- His role as president of SAG eventually led to him becoming the governor of California from 1967 to 1975.
- His role as governor helped establish a platform that would set him up for the presidency with a promise to send “the welfare bums back to work,” a sentiment still expressed by Republican leaders.
- While his presidency received mixed reviews, Reagan’s influence on the Republican Party has extended far beyond his lifetime, leading to a movement known as Reaganism that eventually gave way to Trumpism.
What does Donald Trump have to do with Caitlyn Jenner?
- Like Jenner, the former reality star turned Republican president had no prior political experience and his merits as a candidate came primarily from his status as a celebrity.
- Despite Jenner’s low approval ratings now, Trump was at first given just a 1% chance of becoming president back when he initially announced his campaign in 2015.
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