Caitlyn Jenner announces plan to run for governor of California

<span>Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP</span>
Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

The former Olympic athlete and reality television star Caitlyn Jenner has announced plans to run for governor of California, seeking to replace Democrat Gavin Newsom in a recall election in the state.

Related: ‘All you need is the filing fee and a dream’: who are Gavin Newsom’s recall challengers?

In a post on her website headlined “I’m in!”, Jenner, a longtime Republican, outlined her political reasoning.

“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,” she stated “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.”

Jenner’s celebrity status and name recognition will ensure she gets a hefty dose of media attention, but many observers might worry overt her lack of much direct political experience. However, the state has previously elected two actors as its governors in the shape of Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger – also Republicans.

The race against Newsom has so far attracted three other Republican candidates: John Cox, a businessman, Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego and Doug Ose, a former US congressman.