Jeremiah Stanback, 32, believed that he had earned a spot on the city's political stage when he submitted 2,040 nominating signatures to the D.C. Board of Elections — 40 more than what is required of mayoral candidates for the city's Democratic and Republican primaries in June.

But two other candidates — themselves little-known — challenged the validity of Stanback's signatures, forcing him to show up before a mediator Wednesday and fight for a spot on the ballot.

"They're trying to crucify me!" said Stanback, wearing a button-down shirt, overcoat and Redskins cap as he sat in a reception area before a hearing at the board's headquarters. At his feet was a duffel bag containing clothing and other personal items that he lugs with him across the city.