In a surprising twist to the usual political narrative, a North Texas man has changed his name to "Literally Anybody Else" and declared his candidacy for President of the United States. His real name was Dustin Ebey, a 35-year-old 7th grade math teacher from Birdville ISD and an Army veteran. The name change, which was legally sanctioned by a Tarrant County judge, represents a protest against the choices offered by the major political parties for the upcoming presidential election.

Mr. Else, as he is now legally known, was spotted rallying for support outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, clad in a TCU ballcap and a campaign shirt bearing his new name. His campaign is driven by a deep dissatisfaction with the current political climate, particularly the choices represented by former President Trump and current President Biden. "This isn't about me, 'Literally Anybody Else', as much as it is about the idea that we can do better out of 300 million people for president," Mr. Else stated during an interview.

The process to get on the ballot is daunting. To qualify as an independent candidate in Texas, Mr. Else must submit a petition with at least 113,151 signatures from registered voters who did not participate in the presidential primary of either major party. Given the sheer volume of signatures needed and the tight deadlines, the task is immense. However, Mr. Else remains hopeful and determined, expressing a desire to appear on the ballot as a real alternative to the major party candidates. "I'm not delusional. This will be very hard to do, but it's not impossible," he said, aiming to inspire those who are equally frustrated with the status quo.

Interestingly, Mr. Else’s background is as diverse as it is rich. Before becoming a teacher, he served in the Army from 2012 to 2018 and even sang in the U.S. Army Chorus. His political views are centrist, drawing from both the right and the left, which he believes makes him a candidate who can represent a wider American demographic.

Despite the Herculean challenge of his campaign, Mr. Else's candidacy is more of a statement than a pursuit of victory. He wants to provide voters an outlet to express their discontent with the current political offerings by writing "Literally Anybody Else" on their ballots. This symbolic gesture underscores his critique of the political system, which he argues forces voters to choose "the lesser of two evils" rather than a candidate they truly believe in.

As November approaches, whether or not Mr. Else makes it onto the ballot remains to be seen. His story, however, has already made an impact, demonstrating a unique form of political expression and protest in an era where many feel disillusioned with traditional party politics. Regardless of the outcome, Literally Anybody Else has become a symbol of the frustration and desire for change among the American electorate.