How do you make a splash in a political campaign when one of your opponents is a reality TV star?
“The beautiful politicians have failed California,” Mr Cox said.
“We need big beastly changes to save it.”
His stunt was slammed by PETA’s Debbie Metzler.
“Gone should be the days when wild animals were treated as toys or props, so it’s unfortunate and shameful that Tag the Kodiak bear has been exploited in this way.
“It’s also dangerous, given the bear’s long, sharp claws, which can disfigure or even kill someone with one swipe.
“Bears need to be left alone to live a bear life, not confined to a pen on asphalt and wheeled out for events.”
It’s all part of an unusual “recall election” to replace Mr Newsom a year earlier than scheduled.
She announced her bid a fortnight ago, but after two weeks of radio silence, released a video effectively launching her candidacy.
“I’m running to be governor for all Californians, to reclaim our true identity, to bring back the gold to the Golden State,” she said in the video.
The three-minute video is thin on policy platforms, though implies an opposition to California’s lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Newsom said he had been too busy preparing for wildfire season to watch Ms Jenner’s video.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t send me the video,” he said.
“I’ll take that three minutes and focus on the needs of (firefighters).”
Normally gubernatorial elections are held every four years in California, with another one scheduled for November 2022.
But enough signatures were gathered to hold a recall election against Mr Newsom.
Voters in the election will be asked two questions. They can vote Yes or No on the issue of recalling Mr Newsom.
They can then vote from a long list of candidates running to replace him. So far 39 politicians are gunning for a spot on the ballot.
Also considering jumping in the race is actor Randy Quaid, an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump.
Because of a first-past-the-post system, it is technically possible Mr Newsom’s replacement would get elected with single-digit support from voters.
But the latest polling shows Californians oppose the recall by a double-digit margin, and Mr Newsom remains reasonably popular.
The last California recall election was held in 2003, against Democratic governor Gray Davis.
In that race, 135 candidates ran, including former sitcom star Gary Coleman, pornographer Larry Flynt, prop comedian Leo Gallagher and Playboy actress Mary Carey.
That race was won by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
This content first appear on 9news