A year ago (March 2025) I dropped my name into the Secretary of the State of California’s mailbox along with my Intention to Run form stating that I intended to run for Governor in 2026.
Which I did.
Intend to run.
I spent a year talking about the issues and the platforms I stood on—like overhauling K-12 Education, developing ways to use Universal Basic Income as a base pay to compensate for the AI takeover of our jobs, state wide Universal Healthcare, and divesting from Israel as well as creating new business opportunities within the state.
Housing and homelessness were also a priority on my list. I have ideas. Ideas that may have worked to lessen the homeless issue within the state.
Environmental issues, state parks, and alternative lifestyles were also on my list. I’ve been a vanlifer in the state of California for 45-years.
I wanted to run a no-funding campaign. Using only my web site (all links lead here now), social media, and word of mouth to spread my concerns and my solutions. My posts on social media did not get thrown into the algorithm and went nowhere. Yet other random posts I made would hundreds of views.
I only wanted to have to answer to the people of California, equally, and not be beholden only to those who may have funded a campaign.
My name would have been on the Democrat Ticket. Only because I have been a life long registered Democrat. But my views and politics run between Social Democracy and Left of Progressive. That said, I would have also been the kind of candidate that would have looked at all sides of an issue to find the best solution to our state’s problems. I would not have discounted a good solution if it had come from a Republican.
I would have been the candidate that everyone seems to be looking for. Social Democrat – Progressive, future forward thinker, creative problem solver, compassionate as well as passionate, with a creative career not just in art and photography, but also in publishing and tech. I actually did help build the internet that you use today. Only one of millions with the same claim, but, hey.
Unfortunately, no one saw me over here waving my hands, trying to gain traction.
To get my name on the ballot I would have had to collect about 7,000 signatures on a “Signatures in Lieu of Fee” and while I had the pats on my back from neighbors and friends, I could not drum up support from strangers.
In the end I didn’t hand in the last of the paperwork, and my name will not be on the ballot.
Do I have concerns for this next election for California Governor?
Yes. Yes I do.
I am not a fan of career politicians. While they might be good for legislation and budgets, I have to ask who owns them? How status quo are they? How progressive are they?
I am not a fan of billionaires running for office. There have been a few good ones here and there, but for the most part, they don’t need to be in our business.
I am not a fan of conservatives wanting to stifle California culture. Enough said.
And those, seem to be the only choices we have.
If you would like to know more about why I chose to live a lot of my adult life as a vanlifer, click here.