“I have had great results in [electability ratings for the 2024 presidential-vice presidential race] according to recent surveys. That is something inevitable because of my work,” the newcomer to the Golkar Party told journalists on the sidelines of a public discussion on Monday, as quoted by Kompas.com.

“But, [I] am still focused on what is in front of me, a second West Java gubernatorial run.”

Ridwan joined Golkar in January, when the 2024 regional elections were less than two years away and the 2024 general election just around a year away. The social-media savvy governor then was immediately appointed by Golkar chair and Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto as co-chair of the party’s electoral committee and deputy chairman. Analysts see Ridwan’s entry into Golkar will benefit both sides, with the governor gaining access to Golkar’s well-oiled political machinery for his potential run either in West Java or Jakarta gubernatorial elections and the party banking on his popularity to attract voters, particularly as Indonesians have a tendency toward idolatry. Some analysts also see Ridwan’s move to join Golkar as his long-term bet for 2029.

An architect by trade, Ridwan made his foray into politics in 2013, when he won the mayoralty of the West Java provincial capital of Bandung by securing a 27-percent lead. He continued the upward trajectory by securing the top seat in the province by winning the 2018 gubernatorial election, albeit by a smaller margin. Despite his past bids at local elections being supported by a number of political parties, he remained a nonmember of any parties until he recently joined Golkar.

Read also: Golkar angles for popularity boost via Ridwan Kamil

When pollster Indikator Politik asked respondents in December 2022 to pick one of nine vice presidential candidates, Ridwan came out as number one choice with 24.1 percent of respondents voting for him. Trailing behind him was Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno at 14.8 percent and Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono at 13.6 percent.

A February survey by the research arm of Kompas daily showed that while Ridwan was the fourth most electable presidential candidate, he struggled to compete with the frontrunners: another popular governor Ganjar Pranowo of Central Java, Defense Minister and Gerindra Party chair Prabowo Subianto and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan.

Ridwan said he would support Golkar chair Airlangga, whose low single digit of electability ranks far below Ridwan’s, in the 2024 presidential run.

“When it comes to the presidential election, [I] will follow the house rules of my new home Golkar. I will support Pak Airlangga as Golkar’s presidential candidate,” he said.

Read also: Golkar seen as key player in fluid coalition building

Golkar is the de facto leader of the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB), its alliance for the 2024 presidential election with fellow pro-government parties the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP). But the KIB is yet to make a final decision on their presidential-vice presidential pairing.

When asked whether he is eyeing the Jakarta gubernatorial run instead, a position many view to be a springboard for an eventual presidential run, Ridwan said he would have to discuss such a idea with the party elites first.

“I know [my electability] also charted well in Jakarta, but to jump from [West Java] to another province, I have to consult with the party first,” he said.