Former radio host Larry Elder launched his 2024 Presidential campaign Thursday night.
Elder began his political career during the 2021 recall effort to oust California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Elder’s positions include tough-on-crime approaches along with school choice and has come out against Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
The presidential candidate has also expressed support for other Make America Great Again (MAGA) policies including border security along with tackling inflation and encouraging economic growth.
“America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable,” the former gubernatorial candidate said. “We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there.”
“That’s why I’m running for President.”
America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That’s why I’m running for President.#WeveGotACountryToSave https://t.co/jOqOBPpre2 pic.twitter.com/MTyibgbKyK
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 21, 2023
“As a California resident, I’ve seen firsthand how decades of Democrat rule have turned the Golden State, for many, into an unaffordable dystopia,” Elder writes on his campaign website. “I won’t let them do the same to America”
Last September, the former radio host teased a presidential run regardless of former President Donald Trump’s decision to seek re-election.
“I don’t feel I’m running against [Trump],” said Elder. “I’m running for president. And I’m not running against anybody on the Republican side. I’m running against Joe Biden if he runs, or Kamala Harris if she runs.”
In July of 2021, Elder announced he would run against the California Governor amongst a growing list of other conservative gubernatorial hopefuls including Republican Californian State Assembly representative Kevin Kiley, Caitlyn Jenner, and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Elder secured 48.8% of the total votes cast among Republican challengers. However, Newsom survived the recall attempt with nearly 62% of Californian’s voting against the recall.
Elder, who dubs himself “the sage from South Central,” left his radio program The Larry Elder Show this April after almost 30 years. The Larry Elder Show was hosted by the Salem Radio Network, a division of the Salem Media Group, from 2016 until April. Elder’s decision to leave was reportedly “100% Larry’s decision,” said Salem’s Senior VP of Spoken Word Phil Boyce, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“Larry is an icon as a radio talk show host and is a powerful voice as a leading black conservative, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Boyce continued.
Orlando, Florida radio host Carl Jackson indefinitely assumed Elder’s time slot on the network until the company appoints a permanent replacement. Jackson previously substituted on the The Larry Elder Show while Elder campaigned against Newsom in California.
Last January, Elder revealed he would not seek another gubernatorial run in the November midterm elections. Newsom handily secured a second term, leading the Golden State against Republican challenger and California State Senator Brian Dahle.
