The fiancé of "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson announced his campaign to become governor of California on Instagram.
“Help me, ‘Make California, California again,’” said small business owner Steve Chavez Lodge Tuesday night, taking a nod from the former president’s campaign slogan.
A 62-year-old retired detective, Lodge posted a video to social media accompanied by a long message declaring his candidacy in the state where he said he was born, raised, and spent his entire adult life.
“I cannot stand idly by while we allow government to destroy this beautiful state,” Lodge said in the video introducing his strategy to “save” California. “It’s time for the people of California to regain control of their government, not only at the state level, but in the counties, cities, and school boards.”
Lodge wants to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in an upcoming recall election and denounced Sacramento “career politicians” in his message.
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A former homicide investigator, Lodge said public safety has been eroded and noted an increase in crime. The small business owner criticized state policies, legislation, and exorbitant cost over living increases over the last decade and said he has a plan to turn things around and “take our state back.”
The former "Real Housewives of Orange County" cast member wrote, “I have the solution to the homeless issue,” adding he would share details of the plan in the next several days.
Lodge and Gunvalson engaged to be married in 2019. In the Instagram video comments, Gunvalson wrote that as California's first lady she would establish an employer-subsidized day of drinking for workers.
In the caption, Lodge lamented how he remembers when people "still called" California the Golden State, saying he hopes to return the state to its golden glory.
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