Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may be considering a Senate run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in 2018, POLITICO is reporting. It's unclear as to if Schwarzenegger would run as a Republican or as an independent, but given Feinstein's age (she'll be 85 by November 2018) this may be a chance for someone to shake things up in California politics.
Schwarzenegger's reps have neither confirmed nor denied his interest in a Senate run, saying that they're keeping "all options open."
“Right now Gov. Schwarzenegger’s focus is on using his platform to bring some sensibility and coherency to Washington by fighting for redistricting reform, like we did in California,’’ Ketchell told POLITICO via email Thursday. “We are keeping all of our options open as far as how we can accomplish that.”
President Donald Trump and Schwarzenegger have had a (largely one-sided) feud since Trump's election. Trump has mocked Schwarzenegger for his low television ratings for "The New Celebrity Apprentice." Schwarzenegger also to switch jobs with Trump, since Trump seemingly cared more about television ratings than actually leading a country. If Schwarzenegger can successfully portray himself as an anti-Trump Republican, or as someone who is willing and able to stand up against Trump, he could do quite well.
Ironically, even if Schwarzenegger does run, he may be derailed by one of his very own reforms. California's "open primary" system pits all candidates, regardless of party, against one another in the primary, with the top two moving on to the general. In 2016, that system produced two Democrats and no Republican.
Will The Arnold become Senator Arnold? Guess we'll have to stay tuned.
