Caitlyn Jenner is NOT running to be the next governor of California

Caitlyn Jenner shut down rumors that she would like to become the next governor of California in a statement to PEOPLE on Friday evening.

Speculation that the reality star, 71, might be taking a step into the political world comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a possible recall election.

‘Caitlyn is not running for governor, has never considered running for governor and is very happy doing the work that she is doing to promote LGBT rights,’ Jenner’s manager Sophia Hutchins said in a statement.

Additionally, the retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete has her hands full ‘spending time with her 18 grandchildren and 10 children.’  

In 2017, Jenner criticized former President Donald Trump’s decision to reverse Barack Obama’s transgender bathroom directive. 

That same year, Jenner, a Republican, reportedly considered running against California Sen. Dianne Feinstein but did not to enter the race, according to Reuters.  

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Times reported a Republican-led effort has ‘raised more than $2.5 million’ and that the ‘minimum amount’ and there’s nearly enough ‘valid signatures to place the matter on the ballot.’ 

Last week, a petition to recall Newsom reached more than 1.4 million signatures and was only 100,000 names off triggering a mid-year election.

The 54-year-old star of the Democrat Party has seen his approval rating dive because of the state’s oppressive Covid restrictions and a botched vaccine roll-out. 

More than a third of voters said they would oust Newsom at the ballot box if the recall qualifies, a survey by UC Berkeley revealed.

Newsom, once widely tipped for a future White House run, is facing criticism from within his own party as the GOP-led campaign to recall him steams to a conclusion. 

Earlier this month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted that Newsom and President Joe Biden both have a ‘commitment to a range of issues’ and that Biden ‘clearly opposes any effort to recall’ him.