Vote Jello
Following the assassination of George Moscone, centrist Democrat Dianne Feinstein took over the mayoral office. During the next official election, Feinstein was posed to win, inciting an absurdist response from Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra.
Biafra entered the race with a platform composed of serious radical policies and farcical provocations. He promised to legalize squatting and implement eco-friendly legislation, while also mandating that businessmen wear clown suits during the workday.
Biafra came in fourth in the polls, winning four percent of the ballot. Between Biafra and the third-place candidate, a drag queen named Sister Boom-Boom, there were enough protest votes cast to force a run-off election between Feinstein and chief rival Quentin Kopp. Feinstein did win the run-off election, but Biafra’s antics highlight the real potential of musicians to have a direct political effect.