SALT LAKE CITY — Rapper Kanye West has filed -- and qualified -- to appear on the November ballot in Utah in the presidential race.
The Utah Lt. Governor's Office confirmed to FOX 13 on Monday that West had filed the necessary paperwork and 1,000 signatures to appear on the ballot. He and his running mate, Michelle Tidball, will appear on the ballot as "unaffiliated" meaning they belong to no particular party. The signatures were verified by county clerks.
Both listed a Cody, Wyoming address in their paperwork. The state elections office said West did not appear in person, but sent a proxy (which is allowed in the state).
West has been posting on Twitter a run for President of the United States. But news media reports show he has had assistance from Republican operatives, including one tied to the Trump campaign. His wife, Kim Kardashian West, has also suggested the run may be tied to his struggles with bipolar disorder.
Utah Republican Party Chairman Derek Brown issued a statement mocking West's bid.
"We welcome Kanye into the race, knowing that Utahns will nonetheless elect Donald Trump this November. We are also waiting for confirmation of rumors swirling that Taylor Swift is unhappy with Kayne’s late entry, and believes that his candidacy may help the President’s re-election efforts," he said. "She may, in effect, join him on the political stage, grab the mic, and say ‘look what you made me do.’ It is 2020, after all."