Former OneRepublic bassist Tim Myers is giving politics another swing. The prolific writer/producer who was a founding member of the Ryan Tedder-fronted band from 2002-2007 announced his intention to run for Lieutenant Governor of California in an Instagram video on Monday in which he hit on some of the same campaign themes he touted earlier this year when he launched a now-abandoned run to replace a longtime GOP rep in the California House of Representatives.
In a campaign video featuring a haunting piano score and dramatic shots of California landmarks, as well as the smoldering remnants of the devastating January 2025 wildfires, widespread homeless encampments and images of economic hardship — cued to a cover of The Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreaming” — Myers made his message of change loud and clear.
Following footage of President Trump calling California a “disgrace” while threatening to pull federal funding from the state, Myers said, “You know what the real disgrace is? A president who insults 40 million Americans and is doing everything he can to harm a state with the fourth largest economy in the world. Meanwhile, our own state leaders have done almost nothing to fight back. That’s why I’m running for Lieutenant Governor, to help protect and rebuild the California that we love.”
Myers is running to replace current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who has announced a bid to succeed incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom; the two-term democrat can’t run due to term-limits and is widely expected to run for president in 2028. Earlier this year, Myers announced that he was planning to take on longtime California House of Representatives member GOP member Ken Calvert in an attempt to regain control of the chamber and slow down Trump’s agenda. It appears he has abandoned that effort to pivot to the state’s second-in-command post, a position with limited power that is typically thought of as the first step to running for Governor.
Myers has moved on to the Lt. Gov. race with much of the same campaign messaging as his earlier bid. Saying his run for the state’s second highest office is a chance to buck the status quo, the self-described political neophyte and third-generation Californian told voters, “You don’t choose the time, the time chooses you.”
He continued using an apt musical metaphor, “One voice is weak, but a chorus is strong. Let’s write a new song for California, together.” Democrat Myers faces a crowded field, which already includes fellow party members state Treasurer Fiona Ma, Newsom advisor Josh Fryday, California State Board of Equalization member Mike Schaefer, former California Sen. Steven Bradford and Sausalito City Council member Janelle Kellman and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs; the top two candidates will advance to the general election.
Check out Myers’ announcement below.
