Jimmy McMillan

James McMillan III, born on December 1, 1946, is a notable American political activist and a veteran of the Vietnam War, recognized for his persistent candidacy in New York City politics. He is primarily acclaimed for founding the Rent Is Too Damn High Party, a political entity aimed at addressing housing affordability issues in New York.

McMillan has made multiple attempts to secure political office, beginning in 1993 and reaching a notable peak during the 2010 New York gubernatorial election. His unique campaigning style and memorable slogans brought significant media attention, especially during his appearance in the 2010 gubernatorial debate. In December 2010, he announced plans to seek the Republican nomination for the 2012 U.S. presidential election, although he ultimately did not appear on any ballots and later shifted his focus back to local politics. In 2013, he ran for Mayor of New York City but was unsuccessful.

In 2014, he once again sought the governor's office, yet failed to qualify for the ballot. McMillan declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but withdrew from the race by December 9, 2015. He announced his retirement from political endeavors shortly thereafter, though he did express support for Donald Trump. In a surprising turn, McMillan attempted a fourth gubernatorial run in 2018, but his petitions faced legal challenges and were deemed invalid.