Celebrity politicians test voter interest in post-Trump era
By Jill Colvin - Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — From Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger to Al Franken and Donald Trump, there’s a rich history of celebrities trying out new careers in politics.
The list could soon grow.
In California, former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner is running for governor. In Texas, Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has said he is considering a run for governor. In New York City, Andrew Yang, a businessman who gained fame during his quixotic 2020 presidential run, is a leading contender for the Democratic mayoral nomination.
Each has the type of name recognition that other political newcomers would envy. But as they consider running some of the nation’s largest and most complicated governments, their lack of experience in public office could be a vulnerability. That’s especially true after the tumult of the Trump era, when the reality television star-turned-president often spent more time raging about his media coverage than managing the federal bureaucracy.