OneRepublic Co-Founder Tim Myers Launches Bid for California Lieutenant Governor

Tim Myers, a founding member of the pop band OneRepublic and its bassist from 2002 to 2007, said this week he will seek the Democratic nomination for California lieutenant governor in 2026. The 40-year-old music-producer-turned-entrepreneur framed the campaign as a break from “the same old thing,” declaring in a video announcement, “One voice is weak, but a chorus is strong. Let’s write a new song for California, together.” The lieutenant governor post will be open because incumbent Eleni Kounalakis is running for governor under the state’s term-limit rules. Myers joins a crowded Democratic field that already includes State Treasurer Fiona Ma, gubernatorial adviser Josh Fryday, Board of Equalization member Mike Schaefer, former state senator Steven Bradford, Sausalito councilwoman Janelle Kellman and former Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs. Myers briefly entered the 2025 race for California’s 41st congressional district before abandoning that effort in April. Away from politics, he founded Palladium Records and has written or produced songs for artists including Kesha and Hailee Steinfeld. His bid continues California’s tradition of entertainers pivoting to public office, following figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan.