Paperboy Love Prince, also known as Paperboy Prince of the Suburbs[2] (born 1992/1993), is an American artist, community activist, and perennial candidate.[2][3]
When Prince was 12, their mother won a contest that permitted her to bring them to have lunch with congressional representatives.[8] Following that experience, Prince participated in youth government programs and eventually had internships with the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Supreme Court. In college, Prince studied journalism and computer science while also creating art and hosting entertainment events.[8]
Paperboy Love Prince started in politics by hosting concerts which provided voter registration for attendees.[8] Prince supports the redirection of police funding to other programs.[9] Prince hosts a community center called the Love Gallery on Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn.[5]
Campaign for New York's 7th Congressional District
In Prince's campaign their political platform included advocacy for universal basic income, Medicare for all, and spreading love.[7] Some media portrayed Prince's campaign as a longshot.[11] In preparation for the election, Prince overcame a challenge to their bid to appear on the ballot.[12]
Prince's campaign manager was 13-year old student Theo Demel, who believes that homework is unconstitutional.[1] The campaign's goal was to raise $2 million. Part of the fundraising strategy included busking outside the Myrtle Avenue station in Bushwick, Brooklyn.[3] The campaign's major policy points included fighting poverty and providing more housing for New York City residents.[14] The campaign hosted weekly food distribution events, giving away food donated by churches to whoever happened to show up.[5]
One of the criteria for joining the city's mayoral debates was fundraising a minimal amount of money.[18] Prince was among the candidates who met the criteria to appear on the ballot, but did not meet the criteria to join the debates.[18] While Prince was not inside the building to participate in mayoral debates, they were outside the venue on a bus known as the "Love Tank".[19][20] Prince's performance outside the debate included singing about affordable housing.[21]
A writer for Harvard Political Review said that Prince's campaign could shift discussion about what sorts of political policies are acceptable to discuss and also shift the perception of the electability of non-white candidates.[22] A writer for The Red Hook Star-Revue said that Prince was a candidate to take seriously.[23] That paper also endorsed Prince for mayor.[24]Trevor Noah of The Daily Show showcased Prince's idea that police should reward people for doing good as an alternative to spotting violations.[25]The City surveyed Prince on their political positions and published their responses.[26]
Prince received 0.4% of the vote and was not elected.[27]
2022 campaigns
Following the 2021 election Prince announced intent to seek candidacy in the 2022 elections for 11 congressional districts and the New York governorship.[28] They again got on the ballot for congress in NY District 7.
Music
By 2015, Paperboy the Prince was a rapper and a center of attention among the fans at games of the basketball team Washington Wizards.[4] They got recognition for their effort in organizing a music campaign to raise $20 million to bring DC-native basketball player Kevin Durant to the Wizards.[29]
They dress as "royalty" to draw attention to how politicians can hold power for longer than kings or queens.[8] In an interview with fashion magazine V, Prince explained how freedom in fashion encourages freedom in thinking and welcoming of diversity.[32] They often wear a Game Boy Advance SP or Game Boy Color around their neck.[6]
