Wackos on the Ballot

Homepage > Politics Magazine > November 2008 > Wackos on the Ballot

You'll never believe who wants your vote

By Doug Daniels

Americans have always loved to hate politicians. The very word has become almost synonymous with lying, cheating and stealing. The great irony is that, even while people have abysmal views of Congress, they usually like their own congressman. And why not? The vast majority of elected officials are good people who pursue their ambitions in the genuine hope of improving the country and serving their constituents.

But enough about them—this article is about politicians who have earned every bit of mockery and scorn heaped on them. Each cycle, like clockwork, a stream of unlikely candidates emerges from the shadows to embarrass their parties, themselves, and in some instances, the very political process itself.

They haven’t necessarily made it onto the national radar screen, yet they’re on the ballot this month for various positions at all levels of government. Our selection here is a mere sample of candidates who have brought sleaziness—or just plain weirdness—to impressive new heights.

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