A man who legally changed his name to “Literally Anybody Else” has recently announced that he is running for president. Else is running for the presidency as an independent candidate.
Literally Anybody Else, a Texas man who legally changed his name in January 2024, is an army veteran and North Richland Hills middle school teacher. Else also manages a TikTok account for his campaign where he first announced his candidacy. Documentation filed with the Federal Election Commission on March 15 indicates that Else is running as an independent.
According to Else’s campaign site, his immediate priority is securing ballot access in Texas. He states that he needs 131,151 signatures from registered voters who abstained from the recent presidential primary. Else has until May 13 to submit signatures in Texas. Additionally, his campaign site includes a dropdown list for other locations.
While the decision to legally change his name is an obvious pun reflecting general dissatisfaction with a potential rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump, Else also aims to capitalize on his new name as an opportunity for voters to express that dissatisfaction. Writing on his website, Else states, “Let this rallying cry echo across the nation: ‘The American people want literally anybody else.’ It’s a declaration of our collective desire for change, for leadership that prioritizes integrity, self-awareness, and a commitment to the common good.”
Else also lists around a dozen issues that define his campaign. Among them are access to affordable housing, criminal justice reforms emphasizing rehabilitation, pathways to legal immigration while simultaneously fortifying border security, a work-based tax plan, and others.
This is a fine, fine April Fool’s post.
Texas is the last place he should be starting if he actually wants to get on the ballot in a few states.