Absurd on every level:

As a conservative white Republican running in a district whose voters are overwhelmingly black Democrats, the odds seemed overwhelmingly against [Dave Wilson].

Then he came up with an idea, an advertising strategy that his opponent found “disgusting.” If a white guy didn’t have a chance in a mostly African-American district, Wilson would lead voters to think he’s black.

. . . .

Wilson, a gleeful political troublemaker, printed direct mail pieces strongly implying that he’s black. His fliers were decorated with photographs of smiling African-American faces — which he readily admits he just lifted off websites — and captioned with the words “Please vote for our friend and neighbor Dave Wilson.”

One of his mailers said he was “Endorsed by Ron Wilson,” which longtime Houston voters might easily interpret as a statement of support from a former state representative of the same name who’s also African-American. Fine print beneath the headline says “Ron Wilson and Dave Wilson are cousins,” a reference to one of Wilson’s relatives living in Iowa.

“He’s a nice cousin,” Wilson says, suppressing a laugh. “We played baseball in high school together. And he’s endorsed me.”

It worked. He won by 26 votes.

As sure as I am sitting here, I know that many people will applaud Wilson’s actions. I cannot join the applause. I can’t endorse trickery and dishonesty by politicians . . . but I can note that trickery and dishonesty by politicians is commonplace — and that the thing that Wilson was dishonest about (the color of his skin) is something that shouldn’t matter in a political race in any event.

And as a result, it’s hard to feel much sympathy for the voters.

Via Hot Air.