Another ‘Barack Obama’ is running for California governor
Obama’s surname will make a political comeback in California. In a way.
Barack D. Obama Shaw is just one of more than 60 candidates competing in California’s gubernatorial primary this week. Obama Shaw legally changed his name from Cecil Shaw III more than a decade ago while in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served from 2008 to 2016. campaign website.
“When I wanted to attract attention… and his (Barack Obama’s) picture was on the wall and I was proud,” he said recently. Spectrum News. “He made sure that a person like me could become president.”
According to his campaign website, Obama Shaw admired the former president because “Barack Obama brought a hope to the world that I had never seen or experienced before.” He added that the former president “was the catalyst that allowed me to legally change my name because I believe people today need that same kind of hope.”
Obama Shaw is also an active member of his community; He hosts the show Alameda’s Got Talent and teaches local children to play music. He credits his musical talents to his grandfather, gospel artist Bro. Cecil Shaw Sr., who was mentioned in Ray Charles’ autobiography “Brother Ray: Ray Charles’s Own Story” and in the 2004 movie “Ray Charles,” according to his campaign website.
Speaking to Spectrum News, Obama Shaw said his engagement with the community through a platform that includes solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing and cutting unnecessary spending inspired him to run for governor of California.
Although he lags far behind other candidates such as billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the Alameda, Calif., candidate says he plans to carry the Obama name into the polls beyond this week.
“Barack Obama is a superhero. I’m the guy in his suit, and he’s me,” Obama Shaw told Spectrum News. “I am the one who has the privilege of carrying this flag around.”
California’s gubernatorial primary: Three names emerged in the crowded area
When is the gubernatorial primary in California?
California’s gubernatorial primary will be held on Tuesday, June 2.
In the latest poll, Becerra leads a crowded field ahead of candidates like Democrat Steyer and Republican conservative commentator Steve Hilton.
Under California’s “jungle” primary election rules, the top two candidates, regardless of political affiliation, advance to the general election in November.
Credit: Terry Collins, Daniella Segura and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. He is USA TODAY’s trending news reporter. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Barack Obama Shaw running for California’s next governor
