Lisa studies Mayor Quimby’s reelection campaign for a school project. While listening to a call-in talk show hosted by Birch Barlow, an ultra right wing conservative, Lisa recognizes the voice of Sideshow Bob as one of the callers. Bart is horrified when he realizes that Sideshow—who once tried to kill Bart—is manipulating the media in hopes of winning his freedom from prison. upport for Sideshow Bob grows and Mayor Quimby grants him a pardon.

Backed by Mr. Burns and other members of Springfield’s Republican elite, Sideshow announces his candidacy for Mayor of Springfield. A game of one-upsmanship ensues between the two candidates, with Bart and Lisa aiding Mayor Quimby as best they can. But a political debate turns disastrous when Quimby ingests too many flu caplets just before going on stage. Sideshow Bob is elected by a landslide.

The moment he assumes power, Sideshow subjects the Simpsons to the awesome power of municipal government. He condemns the Simpson home so a new expressway can be constructed. Convinced that the election was fraudulent, Lisa visits Springfield’s Hall of Records and performs research. She is approached by Smithers, who confesses that although he reluctantly worked on Sideshow Bob’s campaign with Mr. Burns, the new Mayor’s political views conflict with his lifestyle. He tells Lisa that the key to undoing Bob’s power lies with a man named Edgar Neubauer. Bart and Lisa discover that Neubauer—and many others who supposedly voted for Sideshow—are dead. An investigation committee is organized and Lisa tricks the Mayor into admitting that he rigged the election. Sideshow Bob is sentenced to serve time at a minimum security prison.