California governor ballot candidate "Barack D. Obama Shaw" files for White House bid, New York Post reports

A California ballot candidate who uses the name "Barack D. Obama Shaw" has launched a bid for the White House, according to a New York Post report published June 13, 2026.

The report says Shaw is also listed as one of the 61 names on the ballot for California governor, placing him in the state’s gubernatorial election contest in addition to the federal presidential effort.

The New York Post describes the presidential bid as a longshot, without detailing ballot access plans, fundraising activity, or the stage of any filing process at the federal level.

Because the report focuses on Shaw’s ballot presence and the announcement of the presidential run, it does not provide specific information in the published item about which jurisdictional requirements he has met for appearing on a presidential ballot, or whether he is pursuing write-in status in any state.

Election administration for presidential races generally involves state-by-state requirements for petitions, filing deadlines, and eligibility verification, even when a candidate has appeared on a separate ballot in another context. The practical effect of Shaw’s entry, therefore, depends on how his presidential filings fare under each state’s election law.

If Shaw remains on California’s governor ballot as the report indicates, voters would be asked to consider him in the gubernatorial election while also encountering his presidential candidacy if he secures access in the relevant states.

The next concrete steps for determining Shaw’s presence on the federal ballot would be verification of any presidential filings, determination of ballot placement by election officials, and compliance with statutory deadlines for each state where he seeks recognition as a presidential candidate.