GOP helps Kanye West in presidential bid [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• GOP Lawyer Lane Ruhland filed Kanye West’s paperwork and presidential nomination papers on Tuesday at the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
• West was also working with Republican operative Gregg Keller in a bid to formally launch his presidential campaign.
• Republicans are hoping that West’s participation in the presidential race would grab votes from Joe Biden, especially among Black voters.

Singer Rapper Kanye West has formally submitted signatures on Tuesday to appear on the ballot in Wisconsin through Lane Ruhland, a well-known Republican lawyer who represents President Donald Trump in court.

The GOP election lawyer handed over West’s nomination papers at the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Tuesday.

Local reporter Matt Smith of WISN shared a video showing Ruhland heading towards the Commission office. Ruhland did not comment when she was asked by Smith about how many signatures they gathered.

In a brief phone call with VICE News, Ruhland did not answer questions pertaining to West’s presidential bid.

“I’m going to leave any comment about the petitions, the papers and what’s going on to the campaign itself… I appreciate your reaching out but I’ll let them comment,” she said.

Ruhland is currently employed in a national firm at Husch Blackwell. She had senior role engagements in Wisconsin GOP circles in the past. She recently became a director of environmental and energy policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Republican business group that financially aids GOP candidates. 

West is currently working with Gregg Keller, as New York Magazine first reported on Monday. Keller was a veteran Republican strategist who previously worked with Senator Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, among other election stints. 

Keller did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports, Trump supporters and local GOP activists have signed up as electors for West’s presidential nomination.

The intention of West’s last-minute presidential bid remains unclear. In one of his campaign appearances, observers questioned his mental condition given his ‘meandering’ appearance. West’s team was also struggling to get him qualified in several key states.

Republicans hoped that West’s presence in the ballot would grab votes from Joe Biden, particularly from Black Americans. With West’s contemporaries and relationship with Trump, Republican operatives are looking forward to supporting him in his presidential aspiration.

Source: Vice News