Tunbridge Farmer Turned Accidental Politician in Satirical Film

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On this day in 1996, the satirical film 'A Man with a Plan' premiered, starring Fred Tuttle, a real-life farmer from Tunbridge, Vermont. In the movie, Tuttle portrays a farmer who decides to run for political office and surprisingly defeats the incumbent. The film was so popular that Tuttle launched a real-life satirical campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1998, and he won the Republican primary.

Why it matters

The story of Fred Tuttle highlights how a work of fiction can sometimes inspire real-world political action, even if it's done in a tongue-in-cheek manner. It also speaks to the enduring appeal of the 'outsider' candidate who takes on the political establishment.

The details

In the 1996 film 'A Man with a Plan', Fred Tuttle, a dairy farmer from Tunbridge, Vermont, plays a version of himself who decides to run for political office as a joke, but ends up defeating the incumbent. The movie was a satirical take on the political process and became a cult hit. Tuttle's performance was so well-received that he decided to launch an actual campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1998, running as a Republican. To everyone's surprise, he won the Republican primary, though he ultimately lost the general election.

• The satirical film 'A Man with a Plan' premiered on February 24, 1996.
• Fred Tuttle launched his real-life satirical campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1998.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Tuttle's 1998 Senate campaign garnered national attention, though he ultimately lost the general election. The story of his accidental political rise continues to be studied as an example of how fiction can sometimes inspire real-world action.