1 min read
Sources:
press and public records, Kevin's account, his own videos
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Short answer
Because, in his words, he thought he could make a difference. He announced May 17, 2021 as a Democrat and self-described centrist, took no lobbyist money, and ran on a plan built around housing, homelessness, schools and taxes. Critics called it a publicity stunt; he answered that his channel lost traffic when it turned political. He says it was worth it, that his interest in politics has waned since, and that he will always keep the Meet Kevin name on ballots. 12
Announced: May 17, 2021 (as a Democrat)
Lobbyist money: None (by his account)
Worth it?: Yes (his answer)
Kevin’s account
Kevin’s account
I legitimately thought I could make a difference. I took no fundraising capital from lobbyists, and I aligned with neither the party I ran under nor the Republicans. I isolated myself on the island of the middle, and I still live there. My interest in politics has waned substantially since. But I will always keep putting Meet Kevin on the ballot, just like in 2021. Was it worth it? Yes. 2
The stunt question
The Orange County Register put the publicity accusation to him in August 2021. His answer: the bid was not about publicity; since shifting his YouTube to political talk, he had lost traffic. Politico described him as having assailed the establishment for months for not treating him as a serious contender. 1
What it cost and paid
A DFPI consent order over campaign fundraising livestreams, a court loss over his own nickname, and a channel that stalled. Also second place, a debate stage, a New York Times Magazine profile and a platform he still cites. Whether that nets out is his call, and he has made it.
In his own videos
He thought he could fix the state, and he says the run cost him viewers rather than earning them. 12
Simply put
✅ His reason
➡️ He believed he had better ideas on housing and homelessness than the people in charge.
✅ The stunt accusation
➡️ Critics said it was for attention. He said his YouTube traffic dropped when he went political.
✅ Now
➡️ Glad he did it. Much less interested in politics.
Sources
Orange County Register, August 6, 2021 (publicity-stunt criticism and Kevin's response that he lost traffic), Open
Kevin's account, Why I ran: “I legitimately thought I could make a difference ... Was it worth it? Yes.” Read the excerpt
Kevin on YouTube, "Running for Governor to cut Taxes to $0 | California Exodus" (2021-01-26), at 0:00: “Running for Governor to cut Taxes to $0 | California Exodus” Watch from 0:00
Kevin on YouTube, "Running for Governor of California." (2021-05-01), at 0:00: “Running for Governor of California.” Watch from 0:00
Kevin on YouTube, "My Campaign is Over." (2021-09-13), at 0:00: “My Campaign is Over.” Watch from 0:00
