Clown wants shot at 3-ring circus of Hub politics
Think Boston City Hall is full of clowns?
There could be one more. Pat Payaso — donning a curly rainbow wig, a billowy suit and a requisite ruby red clown nose — is running to become an at-large city councilor.
Payaso, whose last name just happens to mean “clown” in Spanish, will be on the ballot with three other newcomers and four incumbents Nov. 7.
The fun never ends with this candidacy: A baffled Steven Croes was surprised to learn he is listed as campaign chairman in Payaso’s statement of organization filed with the state.
“I may have been pranked,” Croes said. “I’ve never volunteered to be part of any campaign.”
But in a fun-house-mirrortype twist, Croes changed his story later in the day.
“We’re still building our campaign and we’ll be releasing more information later,” he said, declining to answer other questions. “What I know of this candidate’s beliefs and history compel me to back him.”
Payaso didn’t respond to multiple calls or emails asking for more information. Payaso has $45 in a campaign account, filed a campaign statement of organization in April, and set up a bank account in July, according to state records.
The Roxbury candidate confirmed a Twitter account yesterday, which includes a photo of Payaso with the Keytar Bear, a street performer who often plays near South Station. Payaso appears to support LGBTQ-friendly policies, and often tweets about other clown-based entertainment, including recent horror flick “It,” which stars an evil clown.
There is no preliminary race for at-large city council candidates, so Payaso has until Nov. 7, when the clown will face off with challengers Domingos DaRosa, William A. King and Althea Garrison as well as incumbents Michael Flaherty, Annissa Essaibi George, Ayanna Pressley and Michelle Wu.
The top four vote-getters will receive the at-large council seats.