Steve Lodge announced he is running for Governor of California on Instagram on Tuesday night.
Over a year after he was last seen alongside fiancée Vicki Gunvalson on The Real Housewives of Orange County, Steve, a former homicide detective, shared a statement with his fans and followers as Vicki reacted to the news on her own page and Andy Cohen weighed in on his late-night talk show, Watch What Happens Live.
“I am officially announcing that I am running for GOVERNOR of California,” Steve began in his June 29 announcement. “I was born and raised in California and spent my adult life here, it was a time when people still called California the Golden State. I raised my children in California, and now I am watching my grandchildren grow up here.”
“However, I can no longer stand by and watch my beautiful state being destroyed by bad decisions made by Sacramento career politicians,” he continued. “[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.”
According to Steve, he has a solution to the state’s homeless issue and plans to share it with his supporters and critics in the coming days, along with several other important issues to his campaign.
“Enough is enough California. Help me ‘Make California, California Again.’ I will lead this movement with your help to see California once again as the Golden State she once was,” he concluded.
Following Steve’s announcement, Vicki shared a message in which she said she was “so proud” of her future husband before posting a video of Andy discussing the matter on WWHL.
“Steve Lodge for Governor. Thanks [Andy Cohen] for your hysterical comments tonight,” the former RHOC star wrote.
In the clip, Andy expressed his excitement for Vicki to potentially become the First Lady of the State of California.
“Let’s pause for a second and imagine what a gift that would be. Instead of a motorcade, she would ride around in a little family van! First Lady Victoria Gunvalson would make sure that California’s love tank stays totally full!” he proclaimed.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQu1H6QjnFT/
Steve’s announcement came just moments after Fox 11 Los Angeles host Elex Michaelson shared the news on his Twitter page, noting that Steve was both a small business owner and a former homicide detective of the Santa Ana Police Department.
NEW: Steve Chavez Lodge announced he’s running for CA Governor.
The Republican is a small business owner, fmr homicide detective with Santa Ana PD and fiancé to @BravoTV reality star @vgunvalson. @EconomyRadio, who helped organize the Newsom recall, is running his campaign. pic.twitter.com/KflIhsrl1r
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) June 29, 2021
Vicki was featured in a full-time role on The Real Housewives of Orange County for the series’ first 13 seasons and in a part-time position for the show’s 14th season.