‘This Is A Joke Right?’: Barack Obama Caused Internet Meltdown After Mind-Boggling California Governor Race Twist Leaves Fans Completely Shocked
Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States, running for California governor? Not so fast!
Fans were left in utter disbelief when Barack Obama showed up as a candidate for California governor. However, upon closer inspection, it’s actually another politician with an identical name that is in the middle of the state’s gubernatorial race.
Meet Barack Denzel Obama Shaw, who is among more than 60 candidates running for California governor in the June 2 primary.
Per USA Today, Obama Shaw explained his intentions to stand out amongst the crowded race, which is fronted by having the same name as the beloved former president.
Born Cecil Shaw III, the former U.S. Army Reservist changed his name over 10 years ago due to his admiration of Obama.
“Barack Obama brought a hope into the world that I had never seen or experienced before,” he said, adding that former President Obama “was the catalyst that had me legally change my name because I believe that people today need that same type of hope.”
Obama Shaw continued, “Barack Obama is the superhero. I’m the guy wearing his suit, that’s me. I’m the one who has the privilege that carries that banner around.”
He also revealed that Obama wasn’t the only reason for his name change, as he wanted to pay tribute to a certain two-time Academy Award winner as well.
“When I got out of high school people used to say to me ‘You remind me of Denzel Washington,’” Obama Shaw told Newsweek. “Later on it became Barack Obama. I wanted a uniform that didn’t come off, something that was going to remind me of the new me: a person of hope, a person of music, a person of leadership.”
Per the outlet, Obama Shaw dipped his toe into the political pool for the first time back in 2022 with a run for Alameda mayor. “I found myself complaining about my country, how Black people are being treated and just different situations,” he said. “So I took on a stance that I was going to stop complaining and start campaigning.”
As expected, when news of Barack Obama running for California governor spread online fans were filled with a mixture of emotions.
“That would be hilarious if he was white. He’s black but it’s still kinda funny,” one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This is a joke, right?” a second user questioned. “I saw that when I filled out my ballot and laughed hahaha,” a commenter shared.
Another user praised the political strategy, but admitted that it’s not a guaranteed win. “Brilliant…but might not work,” they wrote.
“There’s a Black guy running for Governor of California named Barack Obama Shaw. I was so confused looking at my ballot lol,” a user hilariously admitted.
However, instant name recognition aside, it’s the 56-year-old Democrat’s policies and plans, should he win, that are the most important.
He shared what voters could look forward to should they decide to select his name on the California ballot, as his platform “includes solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing, and cutting unnecessary spending.”
Obama Shaw is currently trailing behind gubernatorial race frontrunners like billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, but he is fully committed to his political aspirations beyond the current primary.
He also offered his take on what current POTUS Trump is doing in the White House and shared that if elected he would work with him.
“What I learned from the military is you respect the rank…even if you don’t like the person, you always respect the rank, and that’s something I still do to this day. I respect the rank, the title of this is President of the United States,” Obama Shaw told Newsweek.
“Now, I don’t like what the man is saying, or the thing he’s doing, but he is the president, and so even if he’s not respecting it himself, I’m still going to respect that rank.”