[3] He changed his name to match the legendary character in 2005, to help bring awareness to his advocacy for children's health and welfare, a time during which he engaged in a nation-wide tour to champion that cause.

[4] Claus has expanded his advocacy as a congressional candidate into the broader sphere of democratic socialism, including support for Medicare for All, coronavirus relief, a wealth tax, and student loan cancellation.

[5] Before becoming a councillor, Claus also worked as a senior ranger for the Fairbanks North Star Borough at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area.

[11] Claus attributes his interest in child welfare and his democratic socialist values to the "plethora of ills that plague America’s youth" he observed during his time in public service.

[11] After growing out his beard in monk tradition, he realized he could achieve greater recognition by leaning into the Santa Claus image that many people perceived.

[15] In spite of this, competing candidate Josh Revak willingly characterised his own campaign as "waging a war on Santa", calling Claus' policies "Marxist fantasies".

[18] In 2016, Claus spoke out against a proposed ban of marijuana dispensaries in North Pole, successfully swaying his council colleagues to reject the proposition.

[9] Claus was among 48 candidates running in the non-partisan June primary, including former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin,[24] which used ranked-choice voting for the first time.

[18] He describes himself as having a strong affinity with Bernie Sanders,[30] sharing many of the Vermont senator's positions on racial justice, corporate accountability, and election freedoms.

[16] Claus has disavowed Alaska's "extractive oil economy", pointing to the effects of climate change and environmental pollution, especially on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.