Conservative actor to run for Congress in California

Actor and model Antonio Sabato Jr. will run for Congress in 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

Sabato will run against incumbent Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley, who has occupied the congressional seat for California's 26th Congressional District since 2012. The district includes a portion of the Pacific coastline, including Ventura, just north of Los Angeles.

Charles Moran, a Republican strategist who will serve as a campaign fundraiser for Sabato, confirmed Sabato's run to the Times.

“Being a Republican and with proximity to the White House and Republican leadership, he’s going to be able to get more done, being in the majority, with his notoriety, for the residents of the 26th District,” Moran told the Los Angeles Times.

Sabato starred in the ABC soap opera "General Hospital" as well as the Fox's "Melrose Place." He has also modeled Calvin Klein underwear. More recently, the actor starred in the VH1 show, "My Antonio," and was a contestant on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Sabato spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Following his RNC appearance, Sabato claimed his support for then-candidate Donald Trump resulted in him being blacklisted in Hollywood, Variety reported.

(H/T: The Hill)