Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd annual Oscars.
JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty
Two people aiding Kanye West’s fledgling presidential campaign have links to Republican Party politics, The Intelligencer reports.
West, a major supporter of Trump and the Republican Party in recent years, has distanced himself from party politics and recently told Forbes he was "taking the red hat off." However, it has emerged that he is leaning on figures from the center right as he attempts to get his name on the ballot in a number of states ahead of the November election.
The Intelligencer states that Chuck Wilton, one of West’s electors in the state of Vermont, will also serve as a delegate for President Trump at this year’s RNC in Charlotte after being elected by the Vermont Republican Party in May. Wilton told the publication that had been connected to the West campaign “through political contacts.”
“Somebody said that Vermont needs electors for certain people and [it was] something I said that I’m more than willing to do,” Wilton is quoted as saying while adding that he believed West to be “center right,” something they had in common.
In addition to Wilton, West is also working with Gregg Keller in Arkansas. Keller was listed as the campaign’s point of contact in a filing with the Arkansas Secretary of State on Monday, August 3. Keller has previously worked with prominent Republican politicians including Mitt Romney.
This week will be key to West's presidential campaign as he attempts to successfully get on the ballot in Wisconsin and Ohio, two key swing states in the 2020 election. He successfully filed to appear on the ballot in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Vermont on Monday. Last week it was reported that the Illinois Board of Elections will examine the validity of West's petition papers after three separate objections were filed.
In July West was polling at 2% nationally. His new album Donda, scheduled for a July 24 release, has yet to be seen. The rapper and designer's wife, Kim Kardashian, has expressed concern for her husband's mental health following her husband's recent public appearances and statements.
The Fader has contacted reps for Kanye West and the Republican National Committee for comment.
