Jenner, a Republican, enters race as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom faces recall election
By Paul Steinhauser, Lee Ross | Fox News
Reality television star Caitlyn Jenner announced plans Friday to run for governor of California.
“I’m in! California is worth fighting for,” Jenner tweeted.
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
Jenner, a Republican, also filed paperwork to seek the governorship and has hired several well-known Republican operatives to guide her burgeoning campaign.
She’s hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who faces an all-but-certain recall election later this year.
Jenner, the Olympic gold medal winning decathlete turned transgender rights activist and nationally known TV personality, had been mulling a bid. Word of the decision was first reported by Axios and confirmed by Fox News.
NEW: Caitlyn Jenner files paperwork to run for Governor of California.
— Complex (@Complex) April 23, 2021
More: https://t.co/uG6FLY1cB0 pic.twitter.com/CO46UxgWqh
Jenner has put together a team of prominent Republican operatives to advise the campaign, including 2016 and 2020 Trump presidential campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio and Steven Cheung, a Trump White House and reelection campaign aide who worked on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful 2003 gubernatorial recall election victory.
Along with her announcement, Jenner launched a website. In a statement on the website, she took aim at the Democrats’ one-party lock on the deep blue state for the past decade.

Jenner becomes the fourth Republican to announce their candidacy. Businessman John Cox, the 2018 GOP gubernatorial nominee who lost to Newsom by nearly 25 points; former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer; and former Rep. Doug Ose have already launched campaigns.