‘Vibrant’ leader gets most Raleigh write-in votes

The 18 candidates on the ballot for eight seats on the Raleigh City Council apparently left a lot to be desired in some voters’ eyes.

Approximately 470 write-in votes were cast in the Raleigh council elections on Oct. 6.

While some were random attempts at humor – Kermit the Frog, Ivana Trump and pizza rat all received votes – many of them were cast in an apparent reaction to the city’s recent crackdown on late-night drinking in downtown Raleigh.

In the mayoral race, which incumbent Nancy McFarlane won with 26,800 votes, downtown bar owner Zack Medford garnered the most write-in votes with 15.

Medford co-owns Paddy O’Beers, Coglin’s and Common 414 on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. He was one of the loudest voices against the new downtown dining restrictions and formed a nonprofit known as “Keep Raleigh Vibrant” to lobby for pro-business candidates.

Medford’s advocacy was enough to vault him past “Mayor Pat,” who got 11 write-in votes. Mayor Pat is likely a reference to Gov. Pat McCrory, former Charlotte mayor.

“A 25 percent margin of victory sounds like a mandate to me,” Medford said Thursday. “Patios for everyone!”

Medford said he was surprised that he got the most write-in votes for mayor considering polling showed widespread support for “Deez Nuts.” Nuts, also a satirical presidential candidate, rose to prominence after polling relatively well in Iowa, Minnesota and North Carolina.

Nuts drew a total of 10 votes across five of the seven council races, but posted only three in the mayoral race.

Other write-in voters seemed inspired by a political ad that suggested some candidates wanted to turn downtown into “DrunkTown.” Mike Tomasulo – erroneously mentioned in an ad meaning to target candidate Matt Tomasulo – drew an at-large vote. Tipsy McDrunktown, “vomit pile” and “trash can on Hargett” also received votes.

Fictional cartoon characters were also popular. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Snoopy received votes.

Looking to move up

Three elected county officials in the Triangle announced this week their plans to seek state office next year.

Wake County school board member Susan Evans, a Democrat, will run for the state Senate District 17 seat. It’s now held by Sen. Tamara Barringer, a Republican.

Johnston County school board chairman Larry Strickland and Tony Braswell, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, both announced Thursday they’ll seek the state House 28 seat. Both Republicans are vying for the seat held by GOP Rep. James H. Langdon, who announced this week he’s not seeking re-election.

More election announcements could come in the next few weeks. The candidate filing period starts earlier than normal in December because North Carolina’s presidential primary will be on March 15.

Woodhouse endorsed

Eddie Woodhouse, who’s in a runoff election Tuesday in Raleigh City Council District A against Dickie Thompson, was recently endorsed by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and former county commissioner Gary Pendleton. He was previously endorsed by Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison and former Raleigh Mayor Paul Coble.

Political events

▪ The Wake Democratic Men’s Club will honor Franklin E. Freeman Jr. as its 2015 Democratic Hero on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Raleigh. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, complete the form at http://home.earthlink.net/~votefordems and mail it with a check to: Wake Democratic Men’s Club, P.O. Box 10352, Raleigh, N.C. 27605, or purchase tickets online at: wakedemocraticmen.org/purchase-tickets/ RSVP by Nov. 2. Email wakeDMC@mail.com with questions.

Compiled by Paul A. Specht and T. Keung Hui.

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 4:51 PM with the headline "‘Vibrant’ leader gets most Raleigh write-in votes."