Candidates reach out to public on Election Day

Nov 3 2009 - 12:42am | DJ Nutter

City Council hopefuls say they are working to direct the flock of undecided voters their way this Election Day.

Candidates are holding watch parties in efforts to increase camaraderie among supporters as the results come in.

“I’m preparing my victory party for a runoff,” said Shaune Maycock, candidate for Place 5.

Maycock will be holding his victory party at Café On The Square off North LBJ Drive. Maycock said, in addition to working at his current businesses today, he will allot time to call members of the community who have not yet voted. He said poll watchers will keep him up-to-speed with a live-feed of the race.

Lisa Marie Coppoletta, candidate for Place 5, said election night has been a 20-year tradition spent with her family. Coppoletta will be working as an academic adviser at Texas State today. However, communication will continue with voters over MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Coppoletta claims she has had more support through social media networks than any other candidate.

Ryan Thomason, the third candidate for Place 5, said he welcomes supporters to J’s Bistro off North LBJ Drive for his victory party. Thomason said his Election Day strategy is more “play-it-by-ear” than other candidates. He said colleagues will be his eyes and ears for any polling locations with large voter turnouts.

“There is always that surprise precinct that is hopping,” Thomason said.

John Thomaides, Place 6 incumbent, said his victory party will be held at Palmer’s Restaurant, Bar and Courtyard off Moore Street. He said a fine-tuned 72-hour strategy is already underway. Thomaides said getting in touch with voters in-person and mingling with those undecided are his top priorities.

Monica Garcia, candidate for Place 6, will hold her Election Day party at Tres Hermanas off Hunter Road. She plans to focus on members of the community who are supporting her and finding a way to get them to the polls.

“It is about getting enough of the right people fired-up,” Garcia said.

Anita Fuller, candidate for Place 6, declined comment.

Candidates said the race has been an educational experience.

“Politics around here has become petty and dishonest,” Maycock said. “Inside, special interest groups work to control the recruitment of even those candidates who run.”

Coppoletta said she learned there is but one version of herself, and transparency in politics is key.

Thomason said he sees less political engagement each year. He said early-voter turnout is low.

“How do you make people not apathetic?” Thomason asked. “It is discerning to see more people voting for American Idol than the Presidential Election.”

Garcia said she learned of “a whole lot of good” circulating around the community. Thomaides said he learned people want to protect their right to a high quality of life, above all other areas in need of economic and social bandages.

“This election is different because of our place within the nation’s economic turmoil,” Thomaides said. “I’ve been re-elected before, but each time you learn to work just a little bit smarter.”

Polls open 7 a.m. and close 7p.m.

Permalink