Vermin Supreme

Vermin Supreme
Vermin Supreme in January 2017 at Wikipedia Day NYC
Born June 1961 (age 57)
Rockport, Massachusetts
Residence Boston, Massachusetts
Nationality American
Education Gloucester High School
Occupation Performance artist, anarchist, presidential candidate, and activist
Years active 1984–present
Home town Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party

Vermin Love Supreme[1] (born c. 1961) is an American performance artist and activist who has run as a candidate in various local, state, and national elections in the United States.[2][3][4] Supreme is known for wearing a boot as a hat and carrying a large toothbrush,[5] and has said that if elected President of the United States, he will pass a law requiring people to brush their teeth.[2][6][7][8] He has campaigned on a platform of zombie apocalypse awareness and time travel research,[9] and promised a free pony for every American.[10]

In 2011, he participated in the Occupy Boston protests.[11] He is the subject of the 2014 documentary, Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey, which follows his 2012 campaign and explores his life as an activist and political prankster.[12]

Personal life

Supreme grew up near Boston, Massachusetts[13][14] and is said to be the oldest of three children.[1] He graduated from Gloucester High School in the 1980s, then moved to Baltimore to attend art school, but he dropped out and began booking bands for underground clubs.[15]

In 1986, he joined the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament in protest of nuclear weapons.[1] In 1987, he began running for public office.[16] He legally changed his name to Vermin Supreme in the 1990s while still in Baltimore.[1]

In 2006, Supreme donated one of his kidneys to save his mother.[1] He is married and has no children.[1]

Political views

Supreme discussed his political views in a 2008 promotional video. He stated he was registered as a Republican at that time, but that he leaned toward anarchism. He asserted that libertarians "are just about abolishing the government and letting shit fall where it may,"[17] which he called a mistake; he also asserted that Republicans want to nullify the government, but "offer no alternative to helping people other than charity."[17] Supreme's vision of anarchism holds no need for government, but depends on citizens to take responsibility for themselves and for others, citing "mutual aid and support and care to our fellow citizens" as key elements. To that end, Supreme called for a gradual dismantling of the government, while citizens take up the slack. He asserted that Americans no longer know how to be citizens, placing some of the blame on schools that teach in "very twisted and jingoistic fashion".[17]

In the video, Supreme discussed his presidential campaign. He describes his "joke humor" campaign as a response to the lies people are fed by the media and by the government.[17]

U.S. presidential election campaigns

2004

Supreme campaigned in the Washington, DC Presidential primary in 2004,[16] where he received 149 votes.[18]

2008

Supreme campaigned in the New Hampshire Republican primary in 2008. He received 41 votes (0.02%) in the New Hampshire primary. According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), he also received 43 votes, nationally, in the general election.[19]

2012
Supreme glitter bombs Randall Terry during a forum at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in December 2011.

Vermin Supreme campaigned as a Democrat in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.[20][21][22]

The following are some of the milestones in this campaign:

  • October 29, 2011: He participated in a satirical debate against a representative of the campaign of deceased British occultist Aleister Crowley.[26]
  • February 2, 2012: Supreme participated in a live debate with Republican fringe candidate Jimmy McMillan in honor of Groundhog Day[30]
  • He was a participant in the Anti-NATO protests at the May 20–21 Chicago NATO Summit.
Supreme in 2012
  • In May 2012, he visited the second largest regional high school in Maine to give a speech about his campaign style to a government class.[31]
  • July 14, 2012: Supreme appeared with The Yes Men at 2600: The Hacker Quarterly's HOPE Number Nine conference during the Saturday keynote.[32][33]
  • August 25, 2012: Supreme announced his new political party, the Free Pony Party, and that he has chosen fellow fringe opponent Jimmy McMillan as his running mate. Conversely, McMillan stated he was still running for president on his own Rent Is Too Damn High platform, and that Supreme would be McMillan's running mate.[34]
  • October 5, 2012: He participated in a debate hosted by Peter Schiff in the Peter Schiff Radio Show, which featured a panel of overlooked presidential candidates including Jimmy McMillan on the Rent Is Too Damn High Party ticket; Santa Claus, independent write-in candidate, and Edgar Lawson, write-in Republican presidential candidate.[35]
2016

Supreme attempted another presidential run in 2016.[36] He embarked on a tour of 20 cities to build support for his campaign and sought to qualify for matching funds from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).[36][37] He filed as a candidate in the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary on November 21, 2015,[38] and received 259 votes in the primary on February 9, 2016, coming in fourth after Martin O'Malley.[39] He was not invited to return to the Lesser-Known Democratic Candidates Presidential Forum, due in part to him glitterbombing Randall Terry at the event in 2011.[40] Shortly before the primary, he was observed questioning Republican candidates Chris Christie and Ted Cruz through a bullhorn.[41][42] On March 4, 2016, he switched his affiliation to the Libertarian Party, claiming his rightful position as Sage and Oracle for Libertarians throughout America, and possibly Belize as well.[43] He received the vote of a single delegate in the first round of presidential nomination voting at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention.

Right to pony during 2017 Clinton book tour

In December 2017 Hillary Clinton planned to visit Concord, New Hampshire for a book tour promoting her new book What Happened. In advance of her presentation Supreme planned a demonstration in front of the bookstore during the event.[44] The demonstration was to be a "pony protest" and include at least one pony.[45] Supreme has a history of making the election promise of ponies to constituents and has asserted that Clinton does not like ponies enough.[46] When Supreme sought a protest permit for his demonstration the police ordered the city to deny his request.[46]

In response, Supreme asserted his "right to pony" and retained Marc Randazza, an attorney with a reputation for advocacy of First Amendment rights, to represent him in suing the city of Concord for the permit.[45] The court found in favor of Supreme issuing an injunction that the city give him a permit, allow him to protest the event, and allow him to bring ponies.[45] A stipulation was that Supreme had to pay for parking for ponies at the rate for cars.[47]

When Supreme presented the pony protest there was a parade.[48] More than 1,000 people attended the book signing and protest.[49] Various media sources covered the pony protest and Clinton book tour together.[50] The editors of the school newspaper of Londonderry High School used the event to endorse Supreme in the 2020 presidential election.[51]

Other political activity

In March 2018, inspired by several high school and college students (some from out-of-state) running for Governor of Kansas in the midterm election, Supreme stated that "I certainly did not want to draw away any votes from any teenagers running in the Governor’s race," instead opting to run for Attorney General, becoming the sole challenger to incumbent Republican Derek Schmidt. The lack of requirements in order to run for office, as outlined in the state's Constitution, has been heralded by Supreme: "This is indeed a very interesting and attractive loophole,” he said. “I think that’s a very good thing for democracy." Desarae Lindsay of Texas has been named his campaign treasurer.[52]

Film career

Supreme at an anti-fascist rally in Boston, November 2017

Supreme co-wrote and stars in the 2009 film Vote Jesus: The Chronicles of Ken Stevenson, in which he poses as a right-wing political candidate to gain access into the world of American fundamentalism.[53]

In 2012, Supreme starred in a web series entitled Learnin' with Vermin that uses a fictional version of his presidential campaign as a platform to teach political concepts such as voting methods.[54]

A documentary following Supreme on the 2012 campaign trail and exploring his life and work as an activist and political prankster called Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and premiered at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival on April 9, 2014.[55] The film was directed by Minneapolis-based filmmaker Steve Onderick and features founder of the Rent is Too Damn High Party, Jimmy McMillan, and Boston-based singer-songwriter and comedian Rob Potylo.[12] The film was released to the general public on Vimeo on Demand on January 30, 2016.[56]

Supreme has also collaborated with performance artist, activist and musician Rob Potylo in the web series Quiet Desperation.[57]

Filmography

List of acting performances in film and television
Title Year Role Notes
Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey 2014 himself documentary
Learnin' With Vermin 2012 himself educational
Vote Jesus: The Chronicles of Ken Stevenson (documentary) 2009 Ken Stevenson film
2008 Uncut 2008 himself TV series
Winning New Hampshire 2004 himself documentary

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Connors, Molly A.K. (January 15, 2012). "He reigns supreme". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Kennedy, Pagan (January 11, 2004). "Merry Prankster". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Dean Wins D.C. Primary". CBS News. February 11, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  4. ↑ Lindholm, Jane (January 8, 2008). "New Hampshire's other candidates". American Public Media. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  5. ↑ Duff, Lori (April 16, 2010). "Vermin Supreme". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Commentary: If Elected, No Flying Toothbrush Monkeys (audio)". National Public Radio. January 9, 2004. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  7. ↑ Conaboy, Chelsea (December 28, 2007). "5 questions for Vermin Supreme". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  8. ↑ Reinhard, Beth (November 13, 2007). "Vermin Supreme is running for president". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  9. ↑ O'Toole, James (January 8, 2012). "In New Hampshire, underdogs promote presidential agendas". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  10. ↑ Williamson, Elizabeth (December 6, 2011). "A Pony for Every American? New Hampshire Primary Has It All". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  11. ↑ Dwyer, John Stephen (October 5, 2011). "Who is occupying Boston, and why?". Blast Magazine. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey". Snow Arch Films. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. ↑ Garance, Franke-Ruta.Running Gag: A campaign veteran comes to the D.C. primary Washington City Paper. 9 January 2004. Web. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  14. ↑ Miller, Leslie F. (2009). Let Me Eat Cake: A Celebration of Flour, Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Vanilla, Baking Powder, and a Pinch of Salt. 9781416588733: Simon & Schuster. p. 73.
  15. ↑ Connors, Molly A.K. (15 January 2012). "Primary 2012: He Reigns Supreme". Concord Monitor. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  16. 1 2 Franke-Ruta, Garance (January 9, 2004). "Running Gag: A campaign veteran comes to the D.C. primary". Washington City Paper. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Anarchist Runs for President...since 1988 (YouTube). Fluxview.com. 2008.
  18. ↑ "2004 Presidential Vote". Ballot Access News. December 12, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  19. ↑ Wilkie, Christina (August 8, 2009). "Final 2008 tally in: Bill Clinton edges out Santa". TheHill.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  20. ↑ Grossman, Samantha (January 10, 2012). "Vermin Supreme: The Presidential Candidate Who Promises Free Ponies". TIME Magazine. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  21. ↑ McLaughlin, Seth (January 9, 2012). "'Vermin Supreme' rears his bearded head in New Hampshire". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  22. ↑ Moran, Andrew (January 13, 2012). "Is Vermin Supreme the next President of the United States?". Digital Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  23. ↑ "First Debate of the New Election Cycle, at the IGLO Dissidents' Convention - Independents, Greens, Libertarians & Others". My FDL. April 4, 2011. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  24. ↑ "Re: april 14 presidential debate in northampton, MA to kick off campaign 2012". Newsgroups.derkeiler.com. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  25. ↑ Ramer, Holly (October 30, 2011). "30 Republicans, 14 Democrats sign up for NH presidential primary". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana: Home News Enterprises. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  26. ↑ Carioli, Carly (October 30, 2011). "Video: Vermin Supreme vs. Aleister Crowley: The 2012 Presidential Debate". Boston Phoenix. The Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  27. ↑ Ríos, Simón (December 20, 2011). "Lesser-known candidates bring colorful campaigns to St. Anselm". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Screw Iowa Fails Again", Des Moines Register, January 12, 2012
  29. ↑ "Summary Democratic President". New Hampshire Department of State. January 18, 2012. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  30. ↑ Bekiempis, Victoria (February 2, 2012). "Vermin Supreme Vs. Jimmy McMillan: Friendly Fascist Debates Rent Is Too Damn High Guy". Village Voice. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  31. ↑ Svennjhami (30 May 2012). "Presidential Candidate Visits High School". iReport. CNN. Retrieved 10 June 2012. The HS visited was Mount View High School in Thorndike, Maine. He introduced himself to the assembled students by saying: "I am Vermin Supreme and I am from the internet."
  32. ↑ "Speakers - HOPE Number 9". Hopenumbernine.net. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  33. ↑ Kane, Muriel (July 15, 2012). "Livestreamer Tim Pool interviews satirical candidate Vermin Supreme". The Raw Story. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  34. ↑ Giunta, Eric (August 25, 2012). "Vermin Supreme Running for President with Jimmy 'Rent Is Too Damn High' McMillan". Sunshine State News. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  35. ↑ "Peter Schiff Radio Show Presidential debate" (mp3). October 5, 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  36. 1 2 Seitz-Wald, Alex (May 22, 2014). "Can a Zombie-Powered Presidential Candidate Go Legit?". National Journal. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  37. ↑ Hofherr, Justine (May 27, 2014). "One 2016 Presidential Candidate Will Run on A 'Zombie-Powered' Platform. And He's from Mass". Boston.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  38. ↑ Nick Reid (November 21, 2015). "Ben Carson and Vermin Supreme file for president on deadline day". The Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  39. ↑ "2016 Presidential Primary Results". February 10, 2016.
  40. ↑ Harper, Jennifer. "Inside the Beltway: Fringe candidate 'Vermin Supreme' banned from New Hampshire candidate forum". The Washingtion Times. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  41. ↑ "Vermin Supreme mocks Christie in N.H." Philly.com. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  42. ↑ Rothkopf, Joanna. "Ted Cruz Gets Trolled by Pro-Pony Presidential Candidate Vermin Supreme". The Slot. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  43. ↑ Jent, Greg (March 1, 2016). "Presidential Candidate Switches to the Libertarian Party". The Libertarian Republic.
  44. ↑ Fisher, Damien (6 December 2017). "Clinton book signing targeted by Vermin Supreme". www.nashuatelegraph.com.
  45. 1 2 3
    • editor (7 December 2017). "Vermin Supreme fights for your right to pony". Shire Liberty News.
    • Brown, Elizabeth Nolan (4 December 2017). "Prohibited Pony Protest at Clinton Event Spurs Vermin Supreme Speech Suit". Reason.
    • Andrews, Caitlin (2 December 2017). "Vermin Supreme sues Concord to have pony protest". Concord Monitor.
  46. 1 2 Vidal, Alex (9 December 2017). "'Surrender Hillary, We Have You Surrounded With Ponies'". www.dangerous.com.
  47. ↑ Maxwell, Mary W (10 December 2017). "What Happened to Hillary? Ponies, Paynes, and How Obama Got Elected in 2008 - Gumshoe News". Gumshoe News.
  48. ↑ Sutherland, Paige (5 December 2017). "Vermin Supreme Hosts 'Pony Parade' Protest Outside Clinton Event In Concord". New Hampshire Public Radio.
  49. ↑ Solomon, Dave (5 December 2017). "Hillary draws more than 1,000 people, and a pony, to Concord book signing". UnionLeader.com.
  50. ↑
    • Ian (6 December 2017). "VIDEO: Vermin Supreme's Pony Protest Outside Hillary's Book Signing in Concord". Free Keene.
    • Schinella, Tony (5 December 2017). "Watch: Vermin Supreme Hosts Pony Protest At Concord Book Event". Concord, NH Patch.
  51. ↑ Wilbur, Tyler (14 December 2017). "Why you should vote Supreme in 2020". Lancer Spirit Online.
  52. ↑ Clarkin, Mary (March 30, 2018). "Supreme candidate could enter A.G. race". The Hutchinson News. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Vote Jesus: The Chronicles of Ken Stevenson". VoteJesusMovie.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  54. ↑ "Learnin' With Vermin". YouTube.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  55. ↑ "Who Is Vermin Supreme? A Documentary". Kickstarter. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey". Snow Arch Films. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  57. ↑ "Quiet Desperation". quietd.com. Rob Potylo. Retrieved 2 June 2014 – via YouTube.
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