Arnold Schwarzenegger weighs in on ‘good friend’ Caitlyn Jenner’s run for California governor: ‘Anyone has a chance because the people are dissatisfied’
- The Terminator star – who served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011 – called Caitlyn Jenner a ‘good friend’ on Monday night
- Asked by Jimmy Kimmel if Jenner, 71, has a shot of becoming California governor, Schwarzenegger, 73, gave a diplomatic response
- ‘Anyone has a chance because I think that the people are dissatisfied with what’s going on here in California,’ he said
- Last week, Jenner filed paperwork to launch her campaign and formally announced her run on social media with the slogan: Caitlyn For California
Arnold Schwarzenegger has weighed in on Caitlyn Jenner‘s run for California governor, revealing that he is ‘good friends’ with the sports personality.
The Terminator star – who served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011 – was asked by Jimmy Kimmel on Monday night to give his thoughts, and he answered like a true politician by sitting on the fence.
Giving a very diplomatic response, Schwarzenegger, 73, suggested Jenner, 71, has as good a chance as anyone else and said he wants the best person for the job, whoever ends up taking it.
Speaking out: Arnold Schwarzenegger – who served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011 – spoke to Jimmy Kimmel about Caitlyn Jenner running for governor, Monday
‘The key thing about all of this is it doesn’t matter if it’s Caitlyn or anyone else,’ he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. ‘To have a clear vision of where you want to go, what are the kind of changes you want to make and why are you qualified to become governor. That’s what you have to convince the people.’
Schwarzenegger added: ‘All the other stuff is all nonsense because the press will attack you no matter who you are. They attacked me but then, in the end, I won so that was the main thing.’
Former Olympian Jenner announced her plans last week to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom in a potential recall election, and Schwarzenegger suggested she has as good a chance as anyone else.
Yes she can! Last week, Jenner filed paperwork to launch her campaign and formally announced her run on social media with the slogan: Caitlyn For California
He explained: ‘Anyone has a chance because I think that the people are dissatisfied with what’s going on here in California.’
‘Just about everyone that is thinking about running has called me [for advice],’ he revealed. ‘I’m very good friends with Caitlyn. I have the utmost respect for her but I’m also very good friends with Governor Newsom and I’m good friends with all the other people that have contacted me and have asked me for advice about running or not running and all those kinds of things.’
Last week, Jenner filed paperwork to launch her campaign and formally announced her run on social media, revealing her new slogan – Caitlyn For California.
The ex-spouse of Kris Jenner is a registered Republican.
Weighing in: ‘The key thing about all of this is it doesn’t matter if it’s Caitlyn or anyone else,’ he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday night
She voted for Trump in 2016 but not in 2020, in protest against his position on transgender issues. In an announcement on Instagram, she did not indicate whether or not she’ll run as a Republican or Independent.
The recall election comes amid growing calls by Republicans to oust Newsom. If a Republican wins, it will be the first time they have held the state since 2003, when Schwarzenegger won.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor´s race, are also running.
A member of her team – which includes many prominent former Trump White House figures – told Axios: ‘She’s running as someone that’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative.’
Big role: Schwarzenegger pictured arriving on Capitol Hill before meeting with members of Congress in Washington DC in 2003
She has hired Tony Fabrizio, a pollster who worked on both of Trump’s campaigns, and Brad Parscale also helped her in an informal role.
In the Instagram statement, Jenner said: ‘I’m in! California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality.
‘But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.
‘I have been a compassionate disrupter throughout my life, from representing the United States and winning a gold medal at the Olympics to helping advance the movement for equality.