Joe Exotic switches parties for 2024 presidential run
Joe Exotic will now run for president under the Democratic Party.
A press release sent to FOX23 said Joseph Maldonado Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, will change his party affiliation from libertarian to democrat for the 2024 presidential run.
According to the press release, Joe Exotic's departure from the Libertarian Party is due to his frustration with infighting and weapon ownership views. "Fearlessly challenging the status quo, Joe Exotic now champions responsible gun regulation that fiercely protects the Second Amendment while ensuring public safety," said the release.
The release also said Joe Exotic will take a stand on the issues of reproductive rights and mental health.
Legally, a convicted felon can run for president. Joe Exotic is the third person to try. He spoke to FOX23 Investigative Reporter Janna Clark about why he wants to run.
"Now that I've seen the broken system from in here, and what it's going to take to fix this country and put it on the right track, I said, 'Why not?'" he said.
Joe Exotic was convicted in 2019 of wildlife offenses and hiring someone to kill Carole Baskin. He received a 21-year prison sentence.
He ran for president in 2016 as an independent, as well for Oklahoma governor twice.