MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Alyssa Milano mulls running for California GOP Rep Tom McClintock's Congressional seat in 2024

'I would love to maybe consider flipping that seat blue,' says actress, who wants to replace Republican Rep. Tom McClintock

Alyssa Milano is considering a run for Congress and wants to flip a traditionally strong Republican seat blue. The actress revealed her plans on June 6, much to everyone's surprise. She wants to run for California's Fourth Congressional District, which has been held by Rep Tom McClintock since 2009.

Milano isn't the first celebrity to consider joining politics. While few have been as successful as Ronald Reagan, California has thrown up several unusual names in the past such actor Randy Quaid who wants to run for governor. Between 2003 and 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger served as the Governor of California, setting the stage for plenty of other celebrities to throw their hat in the ring. In April, Caitlyn Jenner announced her bid for the Governor's seat, followed in May by former pornstar Mary Carey. 

RELATED ARTICLES

The transformation of Alyssa Milano: How a loveable witch became a divisive political figure

Alyssa Milano labeled 'white supremacist' in viral video by Black TikToker: 'You're making things worse'

While the two are considered long shots, Milano may have a better chance of succeeding. "I've been an activist since I was 15 years old. I've been at this a really long time," she told The Hill. Milano added, "It's going to take someone with, I think, name recognition and deep pockets to be able to run against McClintock, and so I'm considering it." 

Milano's bid to replace McClintock

The seat Milano is bidding for has not elected a Democrat to the House since the 1990s and McClintock has faced little opposition in his 2020 November reelection bid. Donald Trump even beat Joe Biden by nine points in the district, which is mostly rural and covers the Sierra Nevada mountains, including Yosemite National Park. Since Milano lives in Truckee, in the Fourth District, she is eligible to run from there.

"I'm basically gathering information right now, speaking to different consultants, speaking to the community," she said. Milano even publicly tweeted about her political ambitions back in May. "Congressman McClintock was one of the 63 republicans to oppose Asian Hate Crimes bill. This is my Congressman. Should I run against him?" she asked. While she received mixed responses, it seems like the critics haven't daunted her.

Running for office isn't something new, Milano has been hinting at it for quite some time. In 2018, she told US Magazine that politics was part of her "10-year plan" when her children were older. During a conference in 2019, she said a political bid is "something I think about". She told The Hill, "I would hope that anyone who's considering running for office would be doing so from a place of service, which is where my heart is, rather than a place of power or to change up the system." 

While Twitter is no substitute for a real-world poll, reactions do give us some idea of the support she has. And judging by Twitter's reaction to the news, it seems as if she will have a real challenge on her hands. While some have backed Milano's plan, others have asked her to stay firmly away from office. 

'Done with actors running for office' 

One person tweeted, "Count me in as a HUGE supporter of this @Alyssa_Milano." Another said, "I never wanted to live in California until now. @Alyssa_Milano could never be tagged as "one of those celebrity candidates." She'd be a bonafide #ForThePeople candidate. Smart as a whip, energy level to die for, and courage. Run Alyssa, run." 

"@Alyssa_Milano has my full support," one person tweeted. Actor Debra Messing said, "@Alyssa_Milano!!!! YESSSSSS! It is your destiny!"

Others though, made their opposition well known. "How about alyssa milaNo," one person tweeted. Another said, "Having a platform and a following, and a belief in your own voice is not a reason to run for office. This would be a “no” from me."

"I like Alyssa Milano and what she fights for but NO. I’m done with actors running for office," one person said. Another joked, "Why, are Chrissy Teigen and Ellen Degeneres too busy or something?"

If Milano decides to run, she will have plenty of time to put together a campaign, McClintock isn't up for reelection until the 2022 mid-terms. Milano though, is no stranger to Capitol Hill, having been there to protest the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. In 2019, she testified at a hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment.