Odd People And Parties Who Never Should Have Run For Political Office

Gary Coleman Quits Mid-Election

Carlo Allegri/Getty Images for Game Show Network/Getty Images

Another candidate from the 2003 California recall election, Gary Coleman never intended to become the state’s acting Governor. Like Carey, Coleman’s campaign was created as a publicity stunt, this time by satirical publication East Bay Express. With no real campaign promises, Coleman’s candidacy never should have gotten as far as it did.

In fact, when Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he was running, Coleman publicly conceded, stating he would vote for the action film icon. Coleman’s last-minute attempt to bring seriousness back to the recall election didn’t work, and he ended up with 14,242 total votes, placing him 8th among qualified candidates.