Crypto advocates becoming engaged in government is not new – but there are hints that a bid from Chamath Palihapitiya, the chairman of Virgin Galactic and the CEO of the venture capital outfit Social Capital, could well be in with a more extensive chance at gaining office than past “Bitcoin (BTC) candidates.”
Palihapitiya stated his plan to run for Governor of California’s post in the November 2022 election and has started a website to host his manifesto promises. Unlike last year’s conclusively horrible display at the polls for the 2020 American presidential “bitcoin candidate” Brock Pierce and his “Brock the Vote” campaign, there are ideas that a crypto advocate like Palihapitiya could well stand a better chance in 2022 – or even earlier.
The compelling governor, the Democrat Gavin Newsom, is contemplating likely to face a recall over his much-maligned approach to the coronavirus pandemic. Campaigners lobbying for the recall claiming to all but met the 1.5 million signatures mark required on a petition for a recall according to state law. Campaigners have until March 17 to reach their target but are thought to be around the 1.2 million marks, KUSI reported.
If the recall petition is successful, California may have to go to the polls later this year.
Palihapitiya has joined calls for a recall, tweeting, “It’s on.”
The Social Capital boss made his first BTC purchase back in 2012 and has called bitcoin “gold 2.0.” Last year, he advised people to keep at least 1% of their savings in bitcoin.
Despite when precisely the election will take place, Palihapitiya does appear to be in with at least an outside chance if he does make right on his word – though it would still be a long shot.
If Newsom attains as the Democratic candidate, the foremost challenge would likely come from a Republican candidate. But with the GOP in seeming disarray after the calamitous last days of the Trump presidency, the door is not closed for an independent to give the major parties a run for their money.
Left-field candidates had won in California before – most distinctly Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as Governor of California between November 17, 2003, and January 3, 2011. However, the “Governator” was the 2003 GOP candidate, and the backing of a significant party is all but essential in American politics, even at the gubernatorial level.
Yet, another 1980s action movie star – Jesse Ventura – succeeded in running as an independent for the Reform Party, serving as the Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1999, to January 6, 2003.
Palihapitiya’s bid could well be supported by the number of BTC advocates among the California electorate. Per Google Trends data, only internet users in Nevada and Hawaii have shown more interest in bitcoin than Californians in recent days.
There is a chance that Palihapitiya will not be the only BTC-friendly candidate on the ballot paper. He will likely be competing against all sorts of vivid characters who have also revealed an interest in running, including the bitcoin-keen rapper Kanye West, who spoke about the chance of standing for the office on a November 2020 edition of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Other candidates include the comedian and talk show host Dave Rubin, who declared his intention to run on Fox News last year, and Tim Dillon, a standup comedian and podcaster. He stated his own decision to run on Twitter.
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