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No joke: Political humorist Jimmy Tingle running for office

In this May 27, 2010, file photo, actress Meryl Streep, left, reacts as comedian Jimmy Tingle, graduating with a masters degree from the Kennedy School of Government, delivers the commencement address during then Harvard University commencement exercises in Cambridge, Mass. (Josh Reynolds / Associated Press)
By Bob Salsberg Associated Press
In this May 27, 2010, file photo, actress Meryl Streep, left, reacts as comedian Jimmy Tingle, graduating with a masters degree from the Kennedy School of Government, delivers the commencement address during then Harvard University commencement exercises in Cambridge, Mass. (Josh Reynolds / Associated Press)

BOSTON – Though Jimmy Tingle has long made biting political humor a staple of his stand-up routines, he insists his dive into Massachusetts politics is anything but comic relief.

The Cambridge-born comedian and social activist is running as a Democrat for lieutenant governor, a job with little visibility and few official responsibilities.

The 62-year-old Tingle said recently to the Associated Press that while some people might think he’s joking, he’s serious about getting involved in government. He earned a degree in 2010 from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

He’s not the first to go from seeking laughs to seeking votes – Democrat Al Franken navigated from “Saturday Night Live” to the U.S. Senate.

Former White House science adviser Quentin Palfrey is the only other announced candidate for lieutenant governor.