Mel Gibson is making headlines for an unexpected reason: a recent straw poll has him leading the Republican pack as a potential candidate for California Governor. Although the actor is reportedly "flattered" by the recognition, he has no intentions of entering the race. According to a source close to Gibson, the 69-year-old star received 12% support in the poll conducted by The Lost Coast Outpost during an ongoing recall effort aimed at removing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
This poll drew participation from 2,640 respondents, revealing Gibson's leading status among Republicans—and it appears he has outpaced Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who garnered 11% of the votes. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former congresswoman Katie Porter claimed 20% and 25% of the votes, respectively.
Gibson’s publicist, Alan Nierob, confirmed that the actor will be "sticking with his day job for now." This announcement comes after Gibson made headlines at a recent recall event, where he openly criticized Governor Newsom's handling of the state, particularly after devastating wildfires resulted in significant property losses, including Gibson's own home in the recent Palisades Fire.
During the event held in Los Angeles, Gibson expressed his discontent with the failures of state leadership, stating, "Governor Newsom and Karen Bass let us all down." The actor did not hold back his frustrations, highlighting the substantial tax burdens on Californians and the perceived inadequacies of the state’s disaster preparedness. "For that kind of money, we deserve much more and much better...there is absolutely no adequate excuse the governor or mayor can make for this gross mismanagement and failure to preemptively deal with what they knew was coming," he said.
Gibson’s remarks were supported by a crowd that echoed his sentiments, responding to his rhetorical question about whether state officials "give a damn about you" with a definitive "no." He attributed the suffering endured by California residents to a combination of "incompetence, indifference, complacency, carelessness, [and] negligence." In his view, these failures had led to rampant crime, acute homelessness, and crippling inflation in California.
The actor further elaborated that the state's once-bustling film industry is now struggling, labeling California a far cry from its previous status as the "Mecca of filmdom." He placed blame on the state’s inadequate resources to handle the increasing frequency of wildfires and suggested that even insurance companies were aware of the risk, as they’ve begun to drop policies for homeowners in vulnerable areas.
Expressing his sympathy for fellow residents who lost their homes, Gibson stated, "All of my fellow citizens who have lost their homes, they have no recourse, no insurance payouts because the carriers dropped them." This frustration resonates widely as many victims of California’s fires face similar predicaments, struggling to recover from losses that, on paper, were covered by insurance policies that are no longer viable.
The recall effort against Governor Newsom, which was organized by a group called Saving California, aims to rectify what proponents see as failures in leadership and to stabilize the state’s economy. The organization advocates for action and responsiveness from elected officials, demanding better governance that actively protects and benefits California residents.
As the political landscape begins to shift with figures like Gibson entering the conversation—even if just symbolically—it remains to be seen how the public sentiment will evolve amidst this whirlwind of political activity. While his polling recognition indicates a level of support, Gibson’s choice to not pursue candidacy underscores his commitment to the film industry and reflects a desire for change through means other than direct political involvement.
Despite expressing years of passion and frustration over California's issues, Gibson's publicist remains firm that the star intends to continue his acting career without pursuing public office. His criticisms of Governor Newsom and the state administration will likely keep him in the news while also shining a light on the pressing issues affecting California residents.
In essence, while Mel Gibson may not be entering the political arena as some may hope, his rising profile within the Republican Party and his vocal critiques of the current leadership demonstrate a growing frustration among Californians awaiting meaningful change in their government.
