Peter Simel, the Florida man who became an online sensation because of his resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein, says he is seriously considering a run for mayor of Palm Beach.
Simel, 71, went viral earlier this year after a video showed him driving a convertible on Interstate 95 in South Florida.
The clip spread quickly after people online began comparing his appearance to Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in 2019.
Someone filming the video could be heard reacting in disbelief as Simel drove by, and the moment turned him into a viral figure almost overnight.
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Simel later embraced the attention and began building an online following under the nickname Palm Beach Pete.
Now, he says that unexpected internet fame may become the start of a local political movement.
In an interview, Simel said he is seriously looking at a possible campaign, although candidates cannot formally qualify for the Palm Beach mayoral race until 2027.
He described the idea as less of a traditional campaign and more of a movement focused on keeping Palm Beach fun, healthy and community-driven.
His proposed platform is intentionally playful.
Ideas listed on his website include free Botox for Palm Beach residents, more pickleball courts, free use of convertibles, dog-walking services and importing New York City water to improve local pizza and bagels.
Simel also joked about offering mother-in-law therapy and lifetime fitness trainers so residents can live longer and pay taxes longer.
Asked how he would fund the proposals, Simel said the effort would be self-funded.
The Palm Beach resident said he is not affiliated with any political party and wants to focus on bringing people together rather than dividing them.
He also said he has no plans to change his appearance despite the online comparisons that made him famous.
Simel said he has always looked the way he does and described himself as youthful, energetic and comfortable with the attention.
His sudden rise has also led to merchandise, campaign-style branding and conversations with people who could help manage a possible run.
Simel said he is especially interested in reaching younger voters and online audiences through influencers and social media.
Palm Beach election records have not yet listed any officially qualified candidates for the next mayoral race, and the current mayor’s office has not publicly responded to Simel’s comments.
For now, the possible campaign remains in the exploratory stage.
But Simel’s transformation from viral highway clip to potential mayoral candidate shows how quickly internet fame can turn into a political brand.
Why It Matters
The story shows how viral internet moments can now create real political attention, even in local races. Simel’s possible campaign may be unserious in tone, but it reflects a growing trend of online personalities turning social media fame into political influence.
What Comes Next
Simel cannot formally qualify for the race until 2027, but he says he is doing early research and building a team. If he moves forward, the campaign would likely lean heavily on social media, humor and his Palm Beach Pete persona.
A viral post highlighted Peter Simel, known online as Palm Beach Pete, after he said he is seriously considering a run for Palm Beach mayor.
JUST IN: Jeffery Epstein “lookalike” Palm Beach Pete running for Mayor of Palm Beach. pic.twitter.com/IGGusSkJLw
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) May 27, 2026
