An actual peanut once ran in Vancouver's mayoral race. Or, that is, a dude dressed up in a peanut suit.
Mr Peanut headed up the Peanut Party in 1974.
He was created by an artist named Vincent Trasov, who would wear the peanut suit while out campaigning.
He tap danced, handed out peanuts to people, he attended debates, however he never spoke because “politicians don’t have anything to say.”
Mr Peanut had a campaign manager who spoke for him, and a group of female dancers who called themselves The Peanettes.
Of course it was an art project and a political statement, but he got a surprising amount of support. One of the most notable people to endorse the nutty candidate was author William S. Burroughs.
And while he was a joke candidate he still managed to take 4% of the popular vote, garnering 2,685 check marks.
A short documentary called Peanut for Mayor is about to be released and screened at The Western Front in Mt Pleasant. In it they interview the people who were involved, giving a great look back on the life and times of Mr Peanut.
It was directed by Greg Bartels and Andrew Muir and tickets to the screening are available by donation.
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