Tucson Weekly Sponsors Reality Journalism Competition in Conjunction with Arizona Presidential Primary

Have you ever thought of running for president? The Tucson Weekly is ready to help you make your dream come true.

Tucson Weekly is sponsoring Project White House 2102, the paper’s second foray into a “reality journalism” competition that allows ordinary-and extraordinary-United States citizens to seek the presidency of the United States.

“As a fierce advocate of democracy, Tucson Weekly is delighted to give ordinary citizens a chance to participate in the electoral process,” said Jim Nintzel, the paper’s senior writer.

Beginning today, all a freedom-loving American has to do to become a Project White House contestant-and secure an actual spot on Arizona Feb. 28 presidential primary ballot-is fill out a two-page form, have it notarized, and send it to the Tucson Weekly or the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. Arizona requires no nominating signatures, no ballot fees and no birth certificate to land a spot on the Feb. 28 ballot.

Candidates will campaign via YouTube, the Project White House blog, FaceBook and other social media outlets. The grand prize for the best candidate is Tucson Weekly‘s coveted presidential primary endorsement.

In 2008, when Tucson Weekly sponsored the first Project White House, half of the 48 candidates on the Arizona presidential primary ballot participated in Project White House. One candidate, Democrat Sandy Whitehouse, captured more votes than former Alaskan Sen. Mike Gravel.

This year, Arizona Democrats have withdrawn from the presidential primary, so candidates seeking the White House will have to run on the Republican ticket. But candidates do not have to be registered Republicans to appear on the Republican ballot.

“It appears Arizona Democrats may have been worried that President Barack Obama could have been upstaged by a dark-horse, Project White House candidate in Arizona,” said Nintzel. “But people still have a chance to run as Republicans-and judging from the polls, GOP voters remain unhappy with the choices that they have, so this is a chance for fresh faces to win the hearts and minds of the nation.”

Project White House is open to any U.S. citizen born in the United States older than 35 who has lived in the United States for the last 14 years.

The filing period with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office is Tuesday, Dec. 20 through Monday, Jan. 9.

Full details are available at ProjectWhiteHouse2012.com.

For more information contact Jim Nintzel at 520-360-9364 or e-mail ProjectWhiteHouse@tucsonweekly.com.

Mail nominations forms and campaign information to:

Tucson Weekly

P.O. Box 27087

Tucson AZ 85726-7087

Or mail nomination forms to the Arizona Secretary of State:

1700 West Washington Street

Phoenix, AZ 85007