Philadelphia voters elect a Whig to public office

[onehandle]

Source: AP

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Voters in Philadelphia have elected a Whig to public office for what the victor believes may be the first time in nearly 160 years.

Robert "Heshy" Bucholz, a member of the Modern Whig party, campaigned door-to-door and won 36 votes to his Democratic opponent's 24 on Tuesday to become an election judge in the city's Rhawnhurst section.

Election judges, who serve four-year terms, receive about $100 annually and are responsible for overseeing equipment and procedures at the polls.

Now a heavily Democratic city, Philadelphia's last Whig mayor was elected in 1854. It's hard to verify whether Whigs won any lower offices after that, said Stephanie Singer, one of three commissioners overseeing local elections.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/philadelphia-voters-elect-whig-public-office-225242600--politics.html

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Thank you, morons who don't vote down ballot.

[christx30]

1. I don't think it's a resurgence.

It's one election judge who won by 12 votes. He has just slightly more power than the dog catcher. He'll serve his time and leave. No harm, no foul.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. I can't even remember which side they're on!

[christx30]

3. from wikianswers:

"The Whigs began as the anti-Jackson/anti-VanBuren party. They favored the restoration of the national bank. They were against the annexation of Texas. In 1844,they officially favored a proposal to ban slavery in the territory newly acquired from Mexico but their candidate, Taylor was a big-time slave owner and made no promises to support this proposal. In 1852 they supported the Compromise of 1850 including the controversial fugitive slave law which forced free states to return runaway slaves to thieir owners even though they were against slavery."

[brooklynite]

4. As a former Ward Committeeman in Philly, let me offer an informed opinion...

Whig politics have no relationship to the position of Election Judge. The fact that he won with 12 votes says that this was a job that anyone with a pulse could have if they wanted it.

[Demit]

5. Exactly. This is a ridiculous non-story.

I work the polls in Phila. The election "board" is a group of neighbors, anybody you can round up who will agree to show up for a 14 hour day twice a year. Hey, I was just elected too, in the other division elected position, as Majority Inspector! Woowoo, I'm a warm body they know will show up at 6:30am to set up the polling place.

[JusticeForAll]

9. So true!!

My best friend in high school ran for the position....and won! and, yep, we were still in high school - he turned 18 early in his senior year!

I don't think there's any big threat here. Makes me curious if he registered that way out of a sick sense of humor and to be newsworthy!

[BumRushDaShow]

6. LOL

As others pointed out, this is just a "warm body", akin to a volunteer (although they are paid), who manages operations at a division (precinct) including overseeing provisional ballots, etc.... and there are currently 1687 divisions. One of my BILs used to do this.

My division (as I expect most divisions) didn't have anyone on the ballot for this position.

Here's a local article on it (he's in the 56th Ward, 5th Divison) - http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/Philly_elects_first_Whig_in_157_years.html

[onehandle]

7. I know. Why is this position even electable? Seems like a appointment type placement. nt

[Enrique]

8. you all are just in denial

the Whig resurgence is real!

[Arugula Latte]

11. I for one welcome our new Whig overlords!

[JI7]

10. i think this is a local thing that doesn't reach national or even state level

[Recursion]

15. They're working on down-ballot access for now, AFAIK

Some of my friends are into Whiggery (yes, really) and they're trying to get a few dozen more pick-ups like this before they go for a statewide office, let alone a federal one.

[Conium]

12. Better to be an earwig.

Some earwigs have 2 penises!

[winter is coming]

13. That makes them as lucky as some dogs.

[Recursion]

14. The Modern Whig party is kind of interesting

Socially progressive, fiscally "responsible", pro-public service, and like the original whig party founded by veterans.