Is Leo Zacky the 2026 version of Perry Johnson? Sure seems that way.
Johnson was the 2024 Republican presidential candidate whose main qualification for the job was that he paid thousands of dollars to Newsmax for the privilege of airing a reality show based on his barely-existent campaign (which Newsmax soon lost interest in).
Zacky, like Johnson, is a Republican, but he’s running for California governor. Like Johnson, Zacky is developing something of a knack for getting free press in far-right outlets. We’ve previously noted that Zacky contribute4d a WorldNetDaily column in August to bashing the Trump administration over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal (and plug his campaign), but WND has published other commentaries by him as well. In a Sept. 27 column, he attacked liberals for allegedly being more violence-prone (and, yes, plugged his campaign):
Heated political rhetoric alone does not kill. The Left and its media cronies, however, are engaged in something worse: They cover up for, and cower before, violence. After the death of George Floyd in 2020, massive violent riots broke out across the country. Those who were most eager to call Trump and his supporters fascists and Nazis repeatedly claimed, sometimes while standing in front of burning buildings and looted stores, that the country was witnessing “mostly peaceful” protests.
It was shameful, serving to justify extreme violence committed by those who deemed themselves “oppressed,” against those they deemed as “oppressors.” Alas, an entire generation of young people have come of age in a nation where this belief is screamed loudly and repeatedly on television and smartphone screens and across college campuses.
[…]We need more such civility and restraint. I believe firmly in ushering in more decency in our public discourse, and I will practice that every day as I campaign for governor. This does not mean shying away from my core convictions. Rather, I will share with every Californian I meet the drastic reforms necessary to address the immense problems inflicted by one-party Democratic rule on my state. I hope to convince many of them that these ideas are decent and common sense and proven – and not fascist.
My family business, Zacky Farms, was at one point the largest private employer in California and the largest poultry company on the West Coast. After nearly 100 years in business, the company was forced to close in 2018, due to suffocating regulations imposed by Sacramento and worsening economic conditions.
On the campaign trail, I share with voters each day the lessons I learned helping to run my family business, and what the state can do to improve on issues ranging from taxes, minimum wage, water management, homelessness, illegal immigration and much more.
In his Oct. 14 column, Zacky lashed out at Katie Porter’s interview meltdown with his own experience about being asked questions:
I am going to be honest, most of you already know this is not my first run for governor of California. Whether running against Newsom’s reelection, or running in the 2026 campaign, every political candidate running for any political office will eventually have to deal with the media.
I have been interviewed for TV, print, radio, YouTube and podcast for numerous streaming services. What they never teach in Government-101 classes is how to prepare for the ludicrous Q&A interviews with the modern mainstream media.
Over the years I have been asked some of the most silly and asinine questions imaginable. As the candidate I must remain poised, stoic, then answer each and every question in a professional and respectful manner. After which I move on to the next interview and do it all over again.
[…]Katie Porter is unfit and lacks the professionalism to be the next governor of California. For the good of the state and the people of California, I join the chorus and call upon Porter to drop out of this race.
Zacky spent a Dec. 25 column railing against Obamacare, adding:
That is why as governor of California, I will champion legislation clearly stating that all members of state government, including the governor, state legislature and their staffers, will have the same healthcare insurance coverage options as the people of California. Maybe by putting a little skin into the game, the Sacramento politicians will be more honest and transparent on healthcare.
Isn’t that something we all want?
Meanwhile, an anonymously written Nov. 26 article teased a favorable poll result for Zacky:
A new statewide survey shows 33-year-old businessman Leo Zacky leading among California voters aged 18-44, with 31% selecting the Republican candidate as their top choice for governor in 2026.
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra came in second at 24%, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter at 15% and California State Controller Betty Yee at 7% – all three of them Democrats.
[…]The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026. Many people believe the state’s current governor, Gavin Newsom – who cannot run for a third 4-year term since the state’s Constitution limits governors to two terms – has all but destroyed the state of California. Ironically, Newsom is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president in 2028.
Thus, both the Democratic and Republican sides have many candidates. The most recent Democrat to announce his candidacy is disgraced U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Zacky previously served as vice president of Zacky Farms and as a leader within the California Poultry Federation.
The anonymous writer didn’t back up his or her claims about Newsom or Swalwell. Surprisingly, WND added a disclaimer at the end of the article: “Note: WorldNetDaily has published several op-eds by Leo Zacky in recent months, available here.”
WND isn’t the only ConWeb outlet to tout Zacky. Newsmax published an Oct. 22 paywalled report on Zacky, whom it described as “emerging as a vocal outsider fueled by personal tragedy — the death of an uncle and the demise of the family business.”