Art collector Stefan Simchowitz announces US Senate bid as Republican candidate

Los Angeles-based art collector Stefan Simchowitz has launched a campaign for the United States Senate, seeking the seat previously held by Democrat Dianne Feinstein who passed away in September. The South Africa-born dealer, known for acquiring and reselling digital media works by emerging artists, describes himself as a Republican outsider aiming to promote centrist thinking. On his campaign website simchowitzforsenate.com, he emphasizes family individualism, hard work, and preserving enlightenment values like free speech and democracy. Simchowitz acknowledges slim chances of winning in California's Democratic-leaning political landscape against established candidates. He told The Art Newspaper that running as a Republican offers more potential for change than working within what he calls the Democratic Party's 'tightly organised machine.' A new Instagram account @simchowitzforsenate opened eight weeks ago currently has 361 followers. Despite the improbable nature of his campaign, journalist Christopher Glazek previously noted in a New York Times Magazine profile titled 'The Art World's Patron Satan' that underestimating Simchowitz's determination would be unwise.