Jack McCarty, left, and Literally Anybody Else are running for mayor of North Richland Hills. Else, right, changed his name from Dustin Ebey.
Courtesy
A North Richland Hills resident who legally changed his name to Literally Anybody Else is campaigning for mayor In the upcoming May 2 election. Early voting begins April 20.
Else is challenging Mayor Jack McCarty, who is seeking his second term.
Else, 37, who changed his name from Dustin Ebey, threw his hat in the ring to run for president two years ago, but he did not garner enough signatures to get his name on the ballot in any of the states.
Else said he decided to run for those who are disenfranchised and to bring “integrity” back to the office.
When asked about the decision to legally change his name, Else said he realized his decision was “out of the box.”
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“I do plan on changing my name back eventually once I’ve set out to accomplish what I want to, which is bringing people together who feel the same way I do,” he said.
“I’m not anti-government. What I’m standing against are people in power not representing people as a whole.”
Else said another factor in his decision to run in Tarrant County’s fourth-largest city was the “unfair” treatment of former council member Blake Vaughn, who was publicly reprimanded in April of 2025 after he called the mayor a liar during a council meeting.
The matter came out of a disagreement over language in a resident survey about carports.
Some of the accusations against Vaughn included comments about city employees on social media and making comments during public meetings that were not relevant to the discussion topics.
Vaughn did not seek re-election.
Else said that Vaughn did not talk him in to running for office, but he said McCarty “lacked integrity in how he handled the situation with Vaughn.”
McCarty said in an interview that Vaughn was a “disgraced former council member.” He added that the council voted to discipline Vaughn.
Else said he is also concerned about how tax dollars have been spent, and he questioned a $500,000 bid to renovate a playground rather than spending on infrastructure such as street repairs.
Else has lived in North Richland Hills for about five years and taught middle school in the Birdville school district. He now works as an animal technician at a university in Dallas.
McCarty said he is focused on transparency and on holding “budget roadshows” and other meet and greet events to bring information to the people.
Two years ago, McCarty ran on a platform of bringing a fresh voice to city hall, saying that people were not getting their voices heard and that it was time for a change.
McCarty, who also served on the Birdville school board for 10 years including time as president, said Else has not served on any city boards or commissions and that he has attended only one council meeting.
McCarty said he also wants to continue emphasizing the city’s “family-friendly atmosphere” and welcoming businesses to North Richland Hills.
During the past year, the city brought in over 100 businesses, according to a city report.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
With my guide dog Freddie, I keep tabs on growth, economic development and other issues in Northeast Tarrant cities and other communities near Fort Worth. I’ve been a reporter at the Star-Telegram for 34 years.