Former Bungie composer Marty O’Donnell has announced his next endeavor – he’s running for Congress after he seemingly retired from game production.
“I never wanted to be a politician and I still don’t,” O’Donnell starts with his campaign message. “I’ve had two successful careers and have started a few small businesses. I’ve also worked for some big corporations. I was ready to retire and spend more time with my family – which I’ve done for the past 3 years. I think they’re ready for me to find something else to do.”
If you’re wondering what political party Marty will be running under – he converted to Catholicism in 2022 and many of his works evoke spiritual and/or Christian themes, so it’s not surprising he’s running as a more traditional Republican.
“I’m tired of seeing the leaders of our country being influenced by the toxic divisions that are tearing apart our families and society,” O’Donnell said. “It’s time for me to step up and do my civic duty. To give back and try and change things for the better. If not me, who? If not now, when?”
Marty has a long career in game production and music composition, working on iconic titles ranging from Halo: Combat Evolved through Halo: Reach, Riven, Destiny, and his most recent title Golem.
Marty is running a campaign of notes the majority of Republican voters will likely agree with: big government is wasteful and irresponsible, illegal immigration is siphoning funding from taxpayers, and “family values” are being eroded when family is the most important thing.
Though he was raised in Chicago and lived in Seattle for years, Marty is running as a Republican in Nevada’s 3rd congressional district, his latest home, against incumbent Democrat Susie Lee.
The only other western game creator in recent memory to run for congress was Brianna Wu in 2018 – she lost her bid for a seat in Massachusetts. Love Hina creator Ken Akamatsu, however, won his campaign in Japan’s central government – read more about that here.
Those wondering about O’Donnell’s political and voting history – he’s voted for Donald Trump twice and said he’s going to vote for him again in the 2024 general election.
“America enjoyed a secure border and no inflation in the Trump administration four years ago,” O’Donnell said to VentureBeat. “I have voted for President Trump twice and will vote for him a third time this fall. But no matter who is elected this November, if I have the privilege to serve, I plan to work with them. That’s what voters expect and that’s what I’ll do.”
If Marty succeeds in his bid for Nevada’s congressional set, he’ll be one of the state’s four Congressional representatives. Their local House elections kick off on November 5th, 2024. Read Marty’s full campaign message here.
If you’re looking to be a part of O’Donnell’s campaign, he’s enlisting the help of “Marty’s Army”, which you can join via his newsletter or his own Discord server.
