Barack Obama Sho, a potential candidate for governor of California, legally changed his name to "Barack Obama" in 2013 [1].
The move highlights the unconventional nature of Sho's political identity as he seeks a high-profile executive office in the U.S. state.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Sho said the name change was inspired by former President Barack Obama. He said the former president served as a source of motivation to turn the impossible into possible during a time when he led the U.S. Army [1].
Sho described his current financial standing as a contrast to the typical gubernatorial candidate. He said he is a renter who relies on buses, and has no funders for his campaign [1].
Despite the lack of financial backing, Sho expressed confidence in his platform. He said the financial influence of his competitors would end in favor of his program once his name appeared on the ballot [1].
Sho's pursuit of the governorship comes amid a campaign characterized by his personal austerity and his symbolic connection to the 44th U.S. president. The legal name change occurred more than 10 years before his current political aspirations [1].
“"That is why my name became Barack Obama"”
Sho's candidacy represents a symbolic challenge to the high-cost nature of California politics. By adopting the name of a global political icon and emphasizing his status as a bus-riding renter, he is attempting to leverage a populist identity and an association with perceived presidential leadership to overcome a significant lack of campaign capital.
