Arnold Schwarzenegger Vows ‘To Bring Sanity to Washington’ But Not With Senate Run

Former-California governor is directing his political energy on fighting gerrymandering, not running for a spot on Capitol Hill

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Getty Images

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger shot down rumors that he is considering a U.S. Senate campaign in 2018 with a Facebook post Sunday morning.

Schwarzenegger said that he would be focusing his political energy on fighting gerrymandering by pushing for independent redistricting commissions.

“I’m deeply flattered by all of the people who have approached me about running for Senate,” he wrote, “but my mission right now is to bring sanity to Washington through redistricting reform like we passed here in California.”

You can read his full Facebook post discussing the Senate campaign rumors and his future political plans below.

Politico reported last week that Schwarzenegger, who was elected governor as a Republican in 2003 after the recall of Gray Davis, was considering running for California Democrat Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat as an Independent next year. Feinstein, who was elected in 1992 and at the age of 83 is the oldest serving Senator, has not announced whether she will seek re-election.

The campaign would have come in the wake of a heated online feud between Schwarzenegger and President Donald Trump, which began after Schwarzenegger refused to endorse Trump during the election. In a Facebook post, Schwarzenegger had referred to Trump as “the Republican nominee” rather than by name.

Trump has since taunted Schwarzenegger on Twitter for his low ratings as host of “Celebrity Apprentice,” to which Schwarzenegger has responded with videos on social media suggesting he and Trump switch jobs.

“You take over TV, because you’re such an expert in ratings,” he said,  “and I take over your job and then people can finally sleep comfortably again.”

Schwarzenegger stepped down as host of “Celebrity Apprentice” on March 3.

Comments