The state Objections Board on Monday removed performance artist and political satirist Vermin Supreme from the ballot for Kansas attorney general.
The board voted 2-0 with one abstention to take Supreme off the ballot because he doesn’t live in Kansas. Supreme had filed in the Republican primary against incumbent Derek Schmidt. Democrat Sarah Swain also has filed as a Democrat.
Supreme, who’s notable for his colorful attire with an upside down boot as a hat, listed Rockport, Mass. as his address when he filed to run for office on June 1.
The board relied on a recent Shawnee County judge’s ruling that found that state law barred out-of-state candidates from running for governor although there was no single law expressly addressing the issue.
The board contended that the judge’s decision in that case could be applied to Supreme’s candidacy for attorney general.
Frequently a presidential candidate who in 2016 finished fourth in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, Supreme went on Twitter to express outrage shortly after the decision.
“The real losers today were the people of Kansas and democracy itself,” Supreme wrote. “I object to the decision…An outrage…A travesty…Not unexpected.
“My legal team and I are exploring some options in response to the current situation.”
The Kansas Republican Party objected to Supreme’s candidacy.
“You should be a Kansan if you’re running for office in Kansas. It’s really that simple,” said Jim Joice, executive director of the state Republican Party.
“The boot is a nice touch. I’m a big fan of it. It’s strictly residency for me,” he said.
