Former Olympian turned reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner is considering a bid to take on embattled California Governor Gavin Newsom.
According to a report from Axios, Jenner, who would run as a Republican, is working with a former Trump operative while going through the decision-making process:
–Jenner is being assisted in her consideration by Caroline Wren, a longtime GOP fundraiser. Wren initially met Jenner through her work with the American Unity Fund, a GOP nonprofit focused on LGBT issues.
–Wren previously worked at Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee for President Trump’s 2020 campaign, and also helped organize the rally he addressed immediately before the U.S. Capitol assault on Jan. 6.
Jenner who supported Trump’s campaign in 2016 but later backtracked calling it a “mistake” would be challenging Newsom who has recently found himself in another challenge.
Newsom is likely to face a recall election in 2021 which would make him the fourth governor in history to face such a challenge.
Last month the recall effort submitted “more than enough names” to force a recall. California state law requires recall efforts to submit signatures of at least 12% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election which is over 1.4 million registered voters.
One of the biggest proponents of the recall effort is former San Diego Mayor Kevin Falconer who is also a likely challenger to Newsom in 2022.
Newsom’s chances to win reelection don’t look promising, but his biggest challenge may come from his own party.
Current betting odds show that Billionaire venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya – who also owns the NBA’s Golden State Warriors – is currently the favorite to win with an implied chance of 44 percent according to Betfair’s pricing.
Palihapitiya would likely run as a Democrat should he enter the fray.