If Kanye West is serious about running for president in this year’s election, Mark Cuban thinks he would get more votes than President Donald Trump.
Mr. Cuban, a Mt. Lebanon native and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, on Saturday told a journalist via Twitter that if there were Rank Choice voting available on November’s ballot, he could see Mr. West ranking ahead of Mr. Trump — and below the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
If there was Rank Choice voting available and @kanyewest was on the ballot with @JoeBiden and @realDonaldTrump , I would have @kanyewest ahead of @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/y6r0EVdBeB
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 5, 2020
The discussion came after rapper and entertainer Mr. West tweeted that he was running for president, a notion that sent social media into a frenzy on the Fourth of July.
We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States 🇺🇸! #2020VISION
— ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020
Mr. Cuban was asked if he supported Mr. West’s bid.
The “Shark Tank” star later went on to say that he believes Mr. West is “more appealing” than Mr. Trump and would therefore take votes away from him if he ran as an independent.
“Logic dictates that he takes votes from the least appealing candidate,” Mr. Cuban said, adding that Mr. West would help Mr. Biden secure a victory.
Mr. Cuban also mentioned that he funds the Center for Competitive Democracy, a non-profit organization that he said could potentially help Mr. West get on the ballot.
“There isn't going to be a real poll that includes Kanye,” he said. “I don't see how he can even make it on enough ballots to be considered for polling. I fund a group @voterchoice that sues to get independent/3rd party candidates on the ballot. If @kanyewest wants help, we can help him.”
Mr. Cuban clarified that he doesn’t plan on helping the musician’s campaign with funding, but that if Mr. West was denied access to the ballot, he would refer him to the nonprofit.
There isn't going to be a real poll that includes Kanye. I don't see how he can even make it on enough ballots to be considered for polling. I fund a group @voterchoice that sues to get independent/3rd party candidates on the ballot. If @kanyewest wants help, we can help him.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 5, 2020
No. I support a non-profit @voterchoice. They help people who have been denied access to ballots by Reps and Dems. So no. I’m not paying for anything for @kanyewest. Lol. But if ANY candidate is denied their rightful access to a ballot I will refer them to @voterchoice ok ? https://t.co/tHNZXNnFXS
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 5, 2020
It has yet to be confirmed if Mr. West was serious about starting a presidential campaign four months before the election.
He would still need to qualify for ballot access across 50 states and the District of Columbia.
As of Sunday, Mr. West hadn’t filed forms with the Federal Election Commission to run for office, according to a Bloomberg review of FEC data.
Alexis Johnson: ajohnson@post-gazette.com and Twitter @alexisjreports.
First Published: July 6, 2020, 12:02 p.m.
