Lisa Witter likes to say that her political aspirations began when her mother went into labor at a demolition derby on the Fourth of July.
Her father thinks the dream started at age 4 or 5, when she dressed as the Statue of Liberty for a Fourth of July parade.
Her mother said politics and leadership came together in the eighth grade, when the young Witter convinced her teacher to take the class to Washington, D.C., for spring break.
Now 31 and living in New York City, the Everett native’s political journey continues as her on-screen campaign begins tonight on Showtime’s new reality TV show, “American Candidate.” The hourlong premiere of the 10-week series airs at 9 p.m.
Ten finalists chosen from thousands of applicants earlier this summer will vie to become the “American Candidate.” The ultimate prize is $200,000 and a chance to address the nation.
The “Survivor”-style show is smart and engaging, and far more compelling than the average reality show because even though the candidates are fake, the issues are real.
Creator and renowned documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats without the help of any commercial breaks. Viewers are likely to find themselves rooting for candidates based on their beliefs rather than their looks or their ability to eat bugs. Each week, one will be eliminated.
The candidates, six men and four women, cover the spectrum. The youngest is 27 and the oldest 55. They include an activist with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a devoutly religious man who says the anti-abortion movement is the most important thing to him, and two openly gay candidates, one of whom is Chrissy Gephardt, daughter of U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.
Witter said viewers who to tune in will learn a lot about the election process.
“They’ll see 10 very smart, committed, informed and hopefully somewhat entertaining people who care about future of this country,” she said by phone last week. “We all have different views on the country’s future and how to get there, but our commitment is very strong.”
Witter said her “campaign” isn’t necessarily about winning.
“I wanted to get out a progressive message in this election year, especially to single women who really could swing this election,” she said.
Her sincerity is clear from the first episode, when she faces a dilemma of whether to eliminate a progressive competitor or keep the person in the running to bolster the progressive voice.
Her parents, Bill and Linda Witter, are excited about their daughter’s opportunity and the fact she is helping put Everett on the national map.
“That’s pretty cool, because we’ve always been ‘north of Seattle,’” said Witter’s mother, who has called the city home for 51 years. “Now we’re actually ‘Everett.’”
Witter’s campaign commercial was filmed at Grand Avenue Park, and her hometown on the show’s opening sequence is “Everett, WA.”
Her mother said she would vote for her daughter in a heartbeat, although she’s concerned that she might undertake a real political career. “As a mom, no, I don’t want her to do that. I don’t want her subjected to the politics part of it. But as a woman, and as intelligent as she is, she would do wonders for the country.”
So is there a chance for a real political future for Witter, who four years ago nearly ran for Seattle City Council with the support of Seattle Councilman Peter Steinbrueck?
“I definitely would like to run for office at the right time and the right moment,” she said. “And I definitely would come home to do it.”
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
Check it out
Everett native Lisa Witter kicks off her campaign to become the “American Candidate” on Showtime’s new reality TV series, which starts at 9 tonight.
See Witter’s biography and candidate profile video online at www.americancandidate.com.
Check it out
Everett native Lisa Witter kicks off her campaign to become the “American Candidate” on Showtime’s new reality TV series, which starts at 9 tonight.
See Witter’s biography and candidate profile video online at www.american candidate.com.
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