STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- His victory would be a bit impractical, but not impossible.
James Murray, one of the stars of the TruTV comedy show "Impractical Jokers" and Staten Island native, has apparently launched a write-in campaign to represent the borough in Congress.
The seat is up for grabs since former Rep. Michael Grimm stepped down after pleading guilty to tax fraud. Republican District Attorney Daniel Donovan, Democratic Councilman Vincent Gentile and Green Party candidate James Lane are currently in the run to replace Grimm and will participate in a debate tomorrow.
In the video posted below, the comedian assures his fans...er, voters, that he's not joking around: "For the first time in a long time, I'm serious," he says. "Sure I'm new to politics, but four years on TV has taught me how to tell the truth to America."
As a congressman, Murray says in the video that he promises to "ferret out wasteful spending," and "to do and say everything that the voters tell me to."
Joking or not, he's got all the markings of a politician, complete with the forceful hand gestures and patriotic-colored campaign posters. SILive.com crime reporter John Annese spotted these signs at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal:
Who knows, he could get some votes: The deadline to file a petition to run in the May 5 special election passed earlier this month, but Murr can still run as a write-in candidate, according to the state board of elections schedule.
Officially, an individual becomes a candidate for federal office when his or her campaign exceeds $5,000 in either contributions or expenditures. So if Murr gets this much in donations, he'll be required to report those contributions under the Federal Election Campaign Act. Until then, any voter in the 11th Congressional District (lookin' at you Staten Island) can write him onto the ballot.
And sure, anyone can say they're running for Congress. But you're not really a politician unless someone tries to smear you. On Monday, an attack ad surfaced, pointing at Murr's perceived lack of patriotism. See the dirty details here:
Many have been unsure what to make of Murr's candidacy, but have been supportive nevertheless. Here's a sampling of the responses on Twitter.
Murr's candidacy would come at the heels of another unofficial Staten Island ambassador, Staten Island Arts Grants Administrator Gena Mimozo. A small campaign of friends and supporters, discouraged by the candidate options in the November 2014 elections, wrote in the Staten Island native.
A request for comment from the comedian-turned-politician was not returned Monday, possibly due to a full schedule of shaking hands and kissing babies.