Ex-leader of Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies says singer Wyclef Jean to run for president

Ex-deputy: Wyclef Jean to run for Haiti president

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The former head of Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies says singer Wyclef Jean is about to announce his candidacy for president of a nation struggling to recover from the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Former Deputy Pierre Eric Jean-Jacques tells The Associated Press that the hip hop artist will run as part of his coalition in the November election.

Jean spokeswoman Cindy Tanenbaum declined to confirm the report. She said the singer would make an announcement Thursday night but declined to say what it would be.

Rumors have swirled for months that Jean would run. The singer has always been careful not to rule out a run for the president and recorded a song “If I was President.”

The 37-year-old was born outside Port-au-Prince but grew up in Brooklyn.