A California gubernatorial candidate legally changed his birth name from Cecil L. Shaw III to Barack D. Obama Shaw in 2013, years before launching his campaign for the state’s highest office. Shaw now runs as one of 61 candidates vying for governor, citing the former president’s legacy as his motivation.

From Failed Mayoral Bid to Statewide Campaign

Shaw previously ran for mayor of Alameda, finishing in third place with just six percent of the vote. Despite the disappointing result, he escalated his political ambitions to pursue California’s governorship. The candidate joins a crowded field of more than five dozen contenders seeking to lead the nation’s most populous state. His unusual name change, completed over a decade ago, now takes center stage as he campaigns statewide.

Name Represents Hope and Inspiration

Shaw explained that adopting the Obama name carries deep personal significance tied to the 44th president’s historic election. He stated the name represents hope for him and described witnessing Barack Obama’s presidency as the greatest moment of his life. The candidate credited Obama with making the impossible possible for people who looked like him to reach the White House. Shaw wants voters to experience that same sense of hope again through his gubernatorial campaign, though he emphasized giving the former president full credit for inspiring the name change.

Unusual Strategy in Competitive Race

The name change strategy positions Shaw uniquely among the 61 candidates competing for California’s top executive position. Running under a name nearly identical to a former president creates immediate name recognition, though it remains unclear how voters will respond to the unconventional approach. Shaw’s previous electoral performance suggests an uphill battle, but his expanded campaign aims to reach a dramatically larger voter base across California’s diverse population. The candidate’s willingness to legally adopt the Obama name more than a decade before this campaign demonstrates long-term commitment to the symbolic gesture he believes embodies transformative political change.