Literally Anybody Else Enters Texas Mayoral Race After Presidential Campaign
A man who legally changed his name to Literally Anybody Else and made headlines with a 2024 presidential bid is now running for mayor in a Texas town. The candidate, a 37-year-old Army veteran formerly known as Dustin Ebey, is challenging incumbent Mayor Jack McCarty in North Richland Hills, a suburb of Fort Worth.
Challenging an Unopposed Incumbent
Else decided to enter the race after learning that McCarty was set to run unopposed. "I decided to cast my hat just to see if there's anybody else in North Richland Hills who wishes to express themselves," he told the Fort Worth Report. His campaign focuses on providing an alternative voice in local politics.
Dispute with City Council Handling
Else cited disagreements with how McCarty and the North Richland Hills City Council managed a dispute with a member last year as a key reason for his candidacy. The mayor dismissed the issue as "ancient history," according to reports. McCarty responded to the challenge by stating, "I get to live off results, not rhetoric."
Low-Budget Campaign Approach
Unlike traditional political campaigns, Else is not planning extensive fundraising or high spending. Instead, he aims to attend meetings to "create pressure for anybody who has something they need help on." This grassroots approach mirrors his earlier presidential run, where he sought to offer an outlet for voters disillusioned with mainstream politics.
From Presidential Bid to Local Politics
Else gained national attention two years ago by running for president under the same name. In an interview with Texas news network WFAA, he explained, "This isn't about me 'Literally Anybody Else' more so as it is an idea. We can do better out of 300 million people for president." He added that he hoped to provide an alternative to the two-party system, saying, "I really want there to be an outlet for folks like me who are just so fed up with this constant power grab between two parties that has no benefit for the common person."
Personal Life and Future Plans
Else currently works as an animal technician at a Dallas university lab and plans to pursue a master's degree for a career in research. He is married to a teacher, and they have a five-year-old daughter. Despite his legal name change, he intends to revert to Dustin Ebey eventually, noting that the name "Literally Anybody Else" is primarily used for branding and official documents.
The Independent has reached out to both Else and McCarty for further comment on the mayoral race, which highlights ongoing debates about political representation and voter dissatisfaction in local elections.
