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AIP lists Kanye West as their VP candidate in California, rapper insists he's still in race for president

West's campaign reacted angrily to the move and said his listing by the AIP was 'deceitful' and insisted that the rapper was still a presidential candidate on his Birthday Party ticket

Kanye West's presidential campaign was left furious after the rapper's name was listed in California as a vice-presidential candidate without his permission. The American Independent Party (AIP) named West as its VP candidate on printed ballots in California. Businessman Rocque "Rocky" de la Fuente, who is on top of the AIP ticket, said that the decision to pair up West with him was made unilaterally by the party even though they have never spoken, the Washington Times reported.

West's campaign, however, reacted angrily to the move and said that the rapper's listing by the AIP was "deceitful" and insisted that West was still a presidential candidate on his Birthday Party ticket. The rapper's statement read: "I am campaigning to be the next president of our great country, not vice president."

"The political party in California that listed my name as its VP candidate has done so without my knowledge," he said adding, "Californians, I ask for your vote for president and urge you to write in 'Kanye West'." A political party, under California law, can nominate a candidate without their knowledge. The AIP, however, had voted in a March primary for De la Fuente, who is also a candidate for the Reform Party and the Alliance Party in various states across country. 

The vice-chairman of AIP, Markham Robinson, in a statement to TMZ, said that the party had chosen West as their vice-presidential candidate during their state convention in August without his knowledge. "Kanye is an example of a good thing that we found along the way," he had previously told Newsweek, adding, "his platform was really pretty good. We loved the fact that he used scriptural references to justify his points."

Shortly after West campaign's statement, many social media users took to Twitter, urging the rapper to seek medical care for his mental health rather than running for president. One user wrote: "And I would urge Kanya west to get back on his medication and stay away from politics... This is the most crucial election in American history, so every vote is critical. That said, I would also urge Trump to get back on his medication!!!"

Another added: "Kanye has stated that he has Bipolar Disorder. The US. Gov views it as a 'disability'. Google it, people can get Soc Sec disability payments due to that diagnosis. Given his mental illness diagnosis, the Gov itself says Ye's not allowed to be in charge of the nuclear codes."

A user wrote: "A reminder today October 10 is International Mental Health Day. I hope his family helps him as I have seen comments from his own wife that he is not well." Another urged the rapper to bow out of the race, suggesting that he was splitting votes: "and I urge “The Rapper” @kanyewest to bow out of this race (which he has ZERO chance of winning anyway) and stop splitting votes that should go to @JoeBiden #ListenToThis."

West had taken to Twitter on the Fourth of July to announce his 2020 presidential bid, writing: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION." His wife, Kim Kardashian, has since stated that West is struggling through mental issues and has bipolar disorder.