Whitman has never held a political office before, but she already has backing from powerful Republican officials. Former governor Pete Wilson is chairing the committee that aims to support her nomination.
In 2008, she, along with ex-HP CEO Carly Fiorina, served as high-profile women from the business industry who canvassed for John McCain during his presidential bid. Whitman served as McCain’s national campaign co-chair.
On her website, she said that “California faces challenges unlike any other time in its history,” mentioning the weak economy, job losses, and a massive state budget deficit.
“California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it fail,” she said.
Whitman, who turned 52 last August, held the role of CEO at eBay for more than a decade and guided the auction company from a $4.6 million small-time player to a $8 billion heavyweight and one of the most visited and valuable properties on the Internet.
Forbes Magazine valued the personal worth of Ms. Whitman at $1.4 billion in 2007.
