Douglas Keith Terranova, August 21, 1960 -
VP candidate for Independent (aka Non Affiliated aka Independent People of Colorado aka Unaffiliated aka Joe Exotic for American People) (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Joseph Allen Maldonado (b. 1963)
Popular vote: 961 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Joseph Allen Maldonado (birth name Schreibvogel), better known under his stage name as Joe Exotic, was an online television reality show personality centered on his activities as the owner of a wild animal farm in Oklahoma, known mostly for big cats such as tigers. He filed with the FEC for President under his real name on Nov. 19, 2015 as an Independent.
In his campaign announcement video, Exotic declared, "First thing is, I am not cutting my hair. I am not changing the way I dress, I refuse to wear a suit. I am gay—I've had two boyfriends for most of my life, thank god, I finally got legally married. Thank god it's finally legal in America. I've had some kinky sex. I've tried drugs in the younger years of my life."
In spite of Exotic's flamboyant style and wild public persona, his platform was surprisingly moderate, albeit he did hold out a special antipathy for animal rights government regulators and nonprofit groups that had been critics of his wildlife business enterprise. The world around Exotic was changing, wild animal shows were becoming increasingly socially and politically unpopular with the general public.
The USDA had cited Exotic several times on charges that he violated the Animal Welfare Act. His running-mate, Doug Terranova of Texas, who exhibited wild animals on the circus circuit, had also been the target of the USDA and animal welfare groups.
Terranova's Apr. 13, 2016 entry in Facebook describes his name being added to the ticket--
Those that know me know how upset I am at the way this country is being run. From Government Agencies trampling on our rights every day to overzealous activists using their taxpayer funded jobs to destroy small businesses and further their own political agendas, our country is in a state of decline. I have been involved in the political process for many years and it amazes me how much one can accomplish with a few letters, phone calls and even just a visit to a representatives office. We just need to get people more involved!Today I got a phone call from Joe Schreibvogel, who has fought this battle for so long, asking for me to help in a different manner. One that was certainly unexpected. In order to get on the ballot in several states he needed to have a running mate. What better way to effect change in our world than to be a part of the dialogue. As the primaries on both sides get increasingly nastier, and people are starting to disengage again I felt I needed to put my money where my mouth is and help Joe spread the message of distrust and discontent. With that in mind I agreed to be his Vice Presidential candidate... God Bless the USA!
According to evidence presented later in court, it seems Exotic had started the process of seeking a hit man in July, 2016, during the Presidential campaign. His target was one of the most vocal critics of his methods of animal treatment. This, coupled with multiple charges related to animal abuse, resulted in Exotic being convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison in Jan. 2020 where the one who caged animals became caged himself.
On the ballot in Colorado and a registered write-in in 15 other states, the Exotic/Terranova ticket had their lion's share (get it?) of votes from the printed ballot where they placed 11th out of 22.
In 2019 Terranova's exhibitor's license was permanently revoked.
Election history: none
Other occupations: circus wild animal exhibitor, zookeeper, President of the United States Zoological Association, actor, animal wrangler for movies
Notes:
Terranova supported Trump in 2020.
As I write this profile in the final hours of the Trump administration, Exotic has a limo waiting outside the prison totally expecting a Presidential pardon that apparently is not coming.
