Battle Creek, U.S.A. – This election year, countless candidates have attempted to make their way into the hearts and minds of voters, but one Cheez-It cracker variety is tops with their taste buds. On May 22th 2012 Cheez-It Hot & Spicy was declared America’s “Top Cheese” in a nationwide election held (please visit) where his inauguration video was just released.

With nearly 67 million votes, Hot & Spicy was the clear winner revealing America’s appetite for some heat in their snacks.  Driving the Hot & Spicy victory was Lesley Yamasaki from Montebello, California, who cast the most votes for the Hot & Spicy candidate in the Facebook contest and will have her likeness featured on specially-marked boxes of Cheez-It crackers available November 2012.

Champion cheese sculptor Troy Landwehr will carve Yamasaki’s head from a block of cheese for the packaging image. Yamasaki will also receive a four-year supply of Cheez-It crackers to last her until the next national election season.

“Of course I have become your Top Cheese,” said winning Cheez-It character Hot & Spicy. “My delicious and fiery nature makes me a natural fit with such passionate voters.”

Between February 1 and April 5, Americans had the opportunity to vote often for their favorite Cheez-It cracker flavor on the brand’s Facebook page, an election that yielded nearly 67 million total votes.  To earn votes throughout the election, consumers participated in numerous activities available through the Facebook application.

Hot & Spicy went head-to-head with seven other Cheez-It flavors, including Colby, Italian Four Cheese, White Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Baby Swiss, Cheddar Jack and Mozzarella. This election season involved some mouthwatering scandals including vicious and cheesy attack ads by opposing cheeses.

“Cheez-It fans are passionate about their favorite Cheez-It flavor and never has this been more apparent than in the Top Cheese election,” said Lynne Vandeveer, Senior Director, Crackers. “We appreciate that dedication and while Hot & Spicy took top honors, we are committed to provide the wide variety of cheese flavors that our fans love.”

While Hot & Spicy maps out his victory press tour, the seven Cheez-It flavor runners-up have voiced their opinions on the upset, which can be found here. Mozzarella blames the cheesy attack ads for her loss, which labeled her as the cheese for “chump” change.

For more information on the “Top Cheese” election and to watch Hot & Spicy’s inauguration speech video, visit facebook or website.

Image Courtesy of  Cheez-It

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