James Island, South Carolina, held town elections on August 3. Bill Woolsey, a member of the Libertarian Party, won the non-partisan Mayoral election. He is an economics professor at the Citadel, and he had also been elected to the town council in 2002.
The election of Woolsey was a surprise. Five candidates were on the ballot. Woolsey polled 39.7%. The incumbent Mayor placed second with 19.9%. The Mayor had been so confident of being re-elected, she had not even bothered to attend a candidate’s debate, although all four of her opponents participated in that debate, and the debate drew a large audience. Thanks to Eugene Platt for this news.
This is a smart Libertarian. Mr. Woolsey knew he had a better chance in a non-partisan election in getting elected than if he had run under the “Libertarian” label in a partisan election.
He is Mayor of James Island. He is a “Libertarian” Mayor of James Island. As Mayor, he can use the label “Libertarian” in any promotional press releases or other non-governmental documents. Eventually, the media will refer to him as the “Libertarian mayor of James Island” even though some may qualify such references by noting he was elected on a non-partisan ticket. Doesn’t matter, Mr. Woolsey is still a “Libertarian” mayor of James Island.
Why can’t you Constitutionalist, Greens, other 3rd partisans including “Independents” and “independents” learn this lesson? There are hundreds if not thousands of small towns, villages, and small cities which elect its public officials on non-partisan ballots. This does not make a registered “Libertarian,” a “Constitutionalist,”Green,” or an “Independent,” or an “independent” any less of what they philosophically proclaim when they run in a non-partisan election.
Still, there are many 3rd partisans who love seeing their party name in print and who drool when they hear it mentioned on TV or radio.
Even though I am not a “Libertarian” I congratulate Mr. Woolsey on his victory. Serve well!
All right! I’m glad to hear that there’s another Libertarian elected to office.
Great news! Congratulations to Bill Woolsey and to James Island, South Carolina!
Nearly 40% of the vote in a 5 way race with an incumbent no less. That’s certainly no fluke!
Interesting earlier story “Voters to select mayor in threatened SC town”
Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2010/08/03/1401236/voters-to-select-mayor-in-threatened.html#ixzz0wEJTJSpf