Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and a vocal Donald Trump supporter, is considering a 2018 bid for California governor, according to media reports.
The Silicon Valley billionaire would join a field of candidates that includes former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Treasurer John Chiang and potentially San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
The national website Politico is reporting that Thiel, who is openly gay, is discussing a gubernatorial bid with his circle of advisers.
He would be running as a Republican in a very Democratic state that voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton last November.
Thiel, 49, rose to national political attention after delivering a prime-time speech at last summer’s Republican National Convention. He currently serves on the President-elect’s transition team.
