Kanye West filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday despite reports that he had dropped his plan to run for president, TMZ reports.
West announced his intention to run on July 4. Though many perceived it as a joke or publicity stunt, West apparently hired a team of operatives to help get him on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina.
Steve Kramer, an operative hired to help with the effort, said the team frantically worked to get enough signatures to get him on the ballot. But he later told New York Magazine that “he’s out.”
That now appears to not be the case.
West qualifies for Oklahoma ballot:
A representative for West filed the necessary documents to get West on the Oklahoma ballot on Wednesday and paid the $35,000 filing fee, the Associated Press reports.
The move did not exactly clear up confusion over West’s plans, given that he has already missed the deadline to appear on the ballot in numerous states, including Florida.
It is unclear if he is willing to able to collect enough signatures to qualify in others, the AP noted.
West files statement of candidacy:
West filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on Thursday, according to TMZ, in documents showing he’s raised or spent more than $5,000 on campaign-related expenses.
Kanye listed his party affiliation as Birthday Party and designated “Kanye 2020” as the name of his political committee.
West also previously filed a statement of organization for the campaign with the FEC on Wednesday.
A recent poll showed West receiving 2% support in a hypothetical matchup between him, Trump, and Biden.
