A crowd of almost 100 people were on hand at the Dent County Courthouse July 15 to hear political activist Chief Wana Dubie announce that he is running for the United States Senate in 2016.
“It’s going to be Dubie versus Blunt in 2016,” Wana Dubie said to the crowd of supporters and curious onlookers. “Senator Blunt better get ready, because I am going to smoke the competition.”
Republican Senator Roy Blunt is currently serving his first term in the Senate and is due for reelection in 2016. Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander has announced he will be seeking the seat on behalf of the Democrats.
The announcement at the courthouse was the first of a series of “statements to the public” which Wana Dubie says he hopes will “blow some minds.”
Wana Dubie said the theme of his senate campaign is to encourage as many people to run for office as possible.
“If I can run, you can run,” Wana Dubie said. “I am tired of seeing all of these people running unopposed and having the same leaders hold office year after year. They’re not doing a good job. I would like to see us all be involved more in politics. I don’t know all the questions, and I don’t know all the answers, but if we would all get together and stop being at war with one another, we can find the answers.”
Wana Dubie looked stern in his determination, yet casual in his attire. The bearded self-described hippie wore a t-shirt which on the front said “Dubie vs. Blunt” and on the reverse said “Dubie or not Dubie? Now is the time for this question!”
The Chief further sported his iconic forehead tattoo which depicts a crown of thorns made out of marijuana leaves. Wana Dubie also wore a pair of jail-issued pants which he said belonged to an unnamed friend who took his own life soon after being unfairly sentenced to a lengthy jail sentence.
After the Chief’s opening statement, he fielded a barrage of questions from the crowd. If elected, Wana Dubie said he would create jobs by legalizing marijuana for both recreational and industrial uses. Dent County residents unable to find work could start growing hemp to sell high-quality ropes and oils.
When questioned as to his stance on abortion, the Chief answered, “I don’t know. It’s up to those people. What do you want from me? I’m not running to be a dictator. I’m not here to impose my views on others. Make up your own mind.”
Wana Dubie said he is just beginning his campaign and is looking for volunteers to serve in on his campaign committee. Jeff Murray of Salem told The Salem News he is the first to join the Chief on his run and is acting as his campaign manager.
“I’m excited,” Murray said after Wana Dubie’s announcement, “We are hoping to turn heads. This was a good start. We had a bigger crowd than we expected.”
Murray said there are no campaign events lined up as of yet but he will alert the news media once they are organized. Wana Dubie said that he plans on campaigning extensively via Facebook and other social media once he is able to get back online, but the Chief said he still needs to buy a smartphone.
Wana Dubie did confirm in his announcement that he will be running as an independent and not seeking the Libertarian Party’s support as he did for his 2006 run to be the 150th District’s Missouri State Representative in Jefferson City.
The Chief may be hoping to cast the same spell on Senator Blunt as he did on Governor Matt Blunt in 2008. Wana Dubie claims his candidacy in 2008 forced then Governor Blunt to not seek reelection.
“One honest Dubie is better than two fake Blunts any day,” Wana Dubie concluded.
