It's student election time, and Billy and Ruby are both vying for the coveted title of school president. Though initially friendly, their rivalry heats up, and before you know it, the mud starts flying. When Earl's petition to include his name on the ballot is rejected, matters are complicated by the late entry of a mysterious third candidate. Buoyed by a glitzy ad campaign (compliments of his spin doctor/campaign manager, the Phantom), the third candidate (none other than Raticus in a clever disguise) shoots ahead in the polls. If Billy and Lydia are to defeat this upstart, they must clean up their acts and work together.

In the end, they learn that ""no one's a winner when you don't play fair"" -- a fact confirmed by the other students who, disgusted with the dirty campaign, end up electing Fred Smertz as a write-in candidate.