Cooper Hefner, the son of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, announced an exploratory campaign for his candidacy for the California Senate on Monday.
Hefner, a 28-year-old Democrat, said on Monday that he is analyzing a potential bid to be the state senator for California’s 30th District, which represents roughly 1 million people in a portion of Los Angeles.
“I am deeply concerned about my community and our government and believe that right now it’s essential for new individuals to step forward and propose new ideas. I would not be on this road if I did not feel strongly that there was an opportunity to win and as a result, make a difference,” he told CNN.
The seat Hefner may be running for could be opened as early as the first quarter of 2021 because the incumbent, Sen. Holly Mitchell, is running to be on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. If Mitchell’s bid is successful, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will hold a special election for her seat. If Mitchell is unsuccessful, the election will be held in 2022.
Hefner was previously the chief of global partnerships for Playboy until 2019. He then became an adviser to Playboy’s chief executive officer and founded a media company for himself called HefPost. Hefner is also a member of the U.S. Air Force.
“I really don’t understand how you can wake up every day and see the challenges that we’re facing in the world and not ask yourself what more you can do. I mean, this is certainly the time to figure out how to engage in solving the challenges our communities are facing,” Hefner said.
“It’s important to recognize that the people who are calling for change were the ones who were already in office and had the power to do something different than they did. And we should ask ourselves whether we want those individuals representing us,” he added.
Hefner said he will focus on issues related to the climate, homelessness, and policing if he takes office. In a tweet announcing his political plans, he said, “I launched a California State Senate Exploratory Campaign because it is time for more young leaders to focus on the future.”
I launched a California State Senate Exploratory Campaign because it is time for more young leaders to focus on the future. pic.twitter.com/eZx715d6JK
— Cooper Hefner (@cooperhefner) July 13, 2020
Hugh Hefner was loosely involved in politics throughout his career as a donor to the Democratic Party and as a free speech advocate. Cooper Hefner is the son of Kimberley Conrad, a Playboy model who was Hugh’s second wife.
