The Truth About Randy Quaid's Political Aspirations
Randy Quaid might be the latest A-lister to turn from showbiz to politics, as he told his Twitter followers he was "seriously considering" a run for office.
The "Independence Day" star has been an outspoken Republican and Donald Trump supporter for years. In November 2020, Trump shared some of Quaid's tweets, in which the actor made unproven claims that the presidential election had been rigged, per NBC News. Quaid was flagged by Twitter for a declaration that read: "I just don't see Americans rolling over for this election fraud. Do you?" Trump, who Quaid called the "greatest President this country has ever had" in another tweet, thanked him publicly for "working hard to clean up the stench of the 2020 Election Hoax!"
Besides voicing his conspiracy theories about electoral fraud, Quaid seems interested in local politics in the state of California. When fellow Republican celebrity Caitlyn Jenner announced her plans to run for office, Quaid tweeted a supportive message: "Go!"
And only a few days later, the actor hinted at his own ambitions.
Randy Quaid wants to 'clean up' California's justice system
On April 27, Randy Quaid announced on Twitter that he was "seriously considering running for governor." The actor seems to be motivated by his objections to the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office, as The Wrap observed. "The prosecutorial corruption in California (esp Santa Barbara & the Bell scandal) is rampant," Quaid's tweet continued. "And I promise that if elected I will clean up the District Attorney Offices throughout the state."
He then added the hashtag "#RandyQuaid4CAGOV" to promote his potential campaign. Soon after Quaid broke the news of his political aspirations, it was announced that a petition to recall California's Governor Gavin Newsom had actually received enough support to be put on the ballot later this year.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Quaid would actually be able to run for governor, given his legal troubles over the past decade. According to The Wrap, the "National Lampoon's Vacation" actor is still technically a "fugitive" in California, along with his wife, due to felony vandalism charges. The couple was caught squatting in 2010 inside a guesthouse they had previously owned.
As ABC 7 reported, he would be facing off against challengers like former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and San Diego businessman and former gubernatorial candidate John Cox, as well as Caitlyn Jenner.