Chrissie Thompson

Cincinnati Enquirer

Life has mostly returned to normal for Brady Olson . He's turned 16. He's waded through exams at school. He doesn't get many interview requests these days.

But he still supports Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. And, of course, himself -- "Deez Nuts."

Olson, who lives on a farm in Wallingford, Iowa, this summer became one of nearly 1,500 people who have filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for president in 2016.

No, he's not old enough to be president. No, that isn't his real name -- it's a reference to a skit from a Dr. Dre album, which came to prominence again this summer after a rash of related online video memes.

MORE: Iowa teen behind Deez Nuts campaign | At home on the farm with Deez Nuts

But fake names haven't stopped scores of people from filing the initial FEC paperwork for joke candidacies. And choosing just the right fake name is probably why Brady's candidacy went viral this summer.

"People were getting a kick out of it," Brady said in an interview conducted over email, because he was swamped studying for pre-holidays high school tests. "People don't like the way our system is running."

His friends in his 40-person high school class got over his summertime fame after the first day back at school, but Brady still thinks people will write him in on some caucus or primary ballots.

Also visit: DesMoinesRegister.com/IowaCaucuses | Candidate tracker and calendar in Iowa | Sign up for Caucuses Newsletter

Follow Iowa Caucus news, photos, videos with Iowa Caucuses App: iPhone or iPad | Android

If Brady were old enough to vote, and if he caucused with Republicans, he'd either vote for Kasich or former New York Gov. George Pataki -- because they're moderates, he says. But he leans toward Kasich because Pataki has failed to qualify for several states' primary ballots. He still supports Sanders among Democrats. "He looks like the guy that cares the most," he said.

Still, Brady thinks Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are most likely to win their parties' nominations -- "regretfully," he said.

Then he offered a note of caution.

"Don't forget that most voters don't make up their minds until two weeks before an election, regardless of previous polls," he said. "Get involved. Go out and vote. One vote matters. ... Be informed, don't walk into the polls blindly.

"Also, vote Deez Nuts."