Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jon Slavet, a Republican, announced Thursday that he will join a slew of candidates running for governor next year to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Slavitt, 58, is a longtime Democrat who has never run for political office before. He said in an interview Thursday that based on conversations with California voters, he believes his business background provides the best foundation for solving the state’s problems — poverty, homelessness, unemployment, energy costs.
“We made all the mistakes first,” Slavitt said. “I’m an entrepreneur, an executive and a doer. I’ve built multiple companies over the years and my passion is making things, building things and solving problems.
“I’m not going to sit idly by while California gets into deeper trouble. I have a special background that’s really relevant to engagement,” he added. “So when I look at California and the government, what I learn is [that] The subtext is that we have a problem created by the government. In California, these problems are man-made. Understanding this is incredibly frustrating, but also inspiring because we can change leadership. We can change policies and fundamentally change the trajectory of the country. “
Slavitt joins a slew of candidates vying to become leader of America’s most populous state and the world’s fourth-largest economy.
For more than two decades, California’s gubernatorial election has been dominated by high-profile figures from both parties, including Newsom and former governors. Global celebrity Arnold Schwarzenegger and California political icon Jerry Brown.
But the field will be calmer in 2026, making the outcome of the game difficult to predict. Nearly a dozen prominent Democrats and Republicans are running to replace Newsom, who is barred from seeking reelection by term limits. None of the candidates running for governor next year has the star power of California’s recent leaders, creating a wild, unpredictable election in one of the most expensive states in the country to run.
The multimillionaire has donated $100,000 to the newly formed campaign committee and confirmed he plans to spend at least seven figures on the campaign.
“I’m going to put in everything I can to stay competitive,” he said.
Voter approval in November of Proposition 50, the redrawing of California’s congressional districts, will increase Democrats’ chances of winning control of Congress next year, prompting Slavitt to enter the race.
Slavet has lived in California for thirty years and currently lives in Palo Alto with his family. He has previously worked in media, including Wired.comthe website of a print magazine that presciently focuses on how technology is changing the world.
He then became a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, co-founding master networka website that connects companies with high-tech workers seeking short-term employment; the leading upscale residential website Central Plaza website; serves as an executive at co-working space creator WeWork; and serves on the board of directors of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
The slaves’ road to the Governor’s Palace was rough and rough. No Republican has been elected statewide in California since 2006, and the state’s electorate has become more liberal since then. There are also two more prominent Republicans in the race – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.
Additionally, Slavitt did not vote for Trump in the past three presidential elections, although he praised the president’s record.
“I think Trump is smart. I think he’s a man of action. I think he gets the job done,” Slavitt said. “I think America needs a shake-up. Our government spending system is very rigid and lacks enforcement. So I think Trump has done a very good job.”
Slavitt has more personal wealth than his Republican rivals. But California voters have long rejected wealthy, self-funded candidates from either party. And there are richer people involved or paying attention to it.
Billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democratic climate crusader and hedge fund founder who recently announced he is running for governor, has poured $20 million into his campaign. Billionaire Rick Caruso spent more than $104 million (mostly his own money) on the unsuccessful 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race and is considering running for governor next year or running for mayor again.
