Mark "Coonrippy" Brown, the Tennessee man whose pet raccoon was seized after video of him playing with the furry creatures went viral, is running for governor.
"I have officially tossed my hat into the ring," says Brown in his first campaign video. "… I think it's time to bring the United States back to where it belongs, beginning with Tennessee. We are one nation, under God, not above God. And just like the purity of this apple … well, I don't know where I was going with that. But I guarantee you there'll be changes made, changes you'll like. You call me, I promise I'll answer the phone."
He really just wants the beloved raccoon back, though, reports WBIR's Tena Lee.
This is all about the raccoon," Brown said.
Brown gained national attention in July following the seizure of his pet raccoon, Rebekah, by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials. Brown claimed he was targeted by the agency after videos of him with another raccoon, Gunshow, went viral. His quest to regain ownership of Rebekah was eventually featured on CNN when he appeared on the Anderson Cooper 360 RidicuList in August.
Brown said his letter to TWRA officials seeking a permit went unanswered and a petition to Haslam with over 60,000 signatures was returned unopened.
