BOSTON: A clown candidate is running for the Boston City Council is what is being seen as an unusual gimmick for his campaign.
Pat Payaso, whose last name is Spanish for “clown,” is one of three newcomers facing the four incumbents for at-large Boston City Council seats Nov. 7.
Payaso recently appeared in an interview series with the other candidates and used a series of props and charts to answer questions instead of giving verbal responses.
The clown candidate’s campaign ad on YouTube lampoons with promises to get residents’ kids “into the best schools,” and work for the “most affordable housing” provided enough campaign donations roll into his coffers.
Payaso changed his name — originally Kevin McCrea — in February at a New Orleans court, the Boston Herald reported.
As McCrea, Payaso ran for an at-large city council seat in 2005 and ran for mayor in 2009.
Steven Croes, listed as campaign chairman in Payaso’s state-filed statement of organization, initially said the position was news to him.
“I may have been pranked,” Croes told the Boston Herald. “I’ve never volunteered to be part of any campaign.”
