wednesday, april 7, 2004
the university daily kansan
news
3A
Independent contender faces battle for candidacy
By Steve Vockrodt
svockrodt@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Bucking the two-party system in politics was never easy, but that won't stop Josh Bender from trying in next week's Student Senate elections.
Bender will run for a freshman/sophomore CLAS seat as an independent. He is the only independent hopeful in this year's election. Bender said he's set to make himself heard with his campaign.
"I want to make a statement," Bender, Sterling sophomore, said. "I think politics are about individual people."
If elected, Bender said he would try to be as influential and active as a senator can be.
"A senator can have a lot of power if they want to," Bendersaid.
He said an important aspect of
his job would be reflecting the needs of his voters.
"I would talk to people instead of assuming people agree with me." Bender said.
Bender's tentative platform revolves around safety issues, supporting the Multicultural Resource Center and not raising student fees without students' consent.
Odds are typically stacked against any independent campaign, but it will be especially tough for the freshman/sophomore CLAS. All 14 seats were won with a staggering margin by KUUnited candidates in last year's election. Chris Cardinal was the senator who won with the fewest votes with 807.
Bender said he figured he would have to earn about 700 votes to get a seat.
Bender said he knew his candidacy would be especially tough,
and that his chances of winning were slim, but he still decided a week ago to go through with a campaign.
KUnited student body president candidate Steve Munch said running without a coalition was an especially difficult task.
in an especially difficult "In a small school, it's possible," Munch said. "In CLAS, it's tough to win. It would be an incredible feat."
The most recent independent candidate to win a seat was Richmhern, in 2002. Mulhern ran for an architecture seat and won with 61 votes. The next highest vote-getter was Nick Lawler of KUnited who earned 52 votes. James Owen was the only other independent to run in that year's election. He finished last in votes for the Law seat, receiving only 15 votes, 16 short of winning a seat.
Mike LeCount, another independent, won a seat for the School of Law in 2001. He said he respected the tough challenge ahead for Bender who will have a harder time winning in CLAS than LeCount did in Law.
"I was fortunate because I ran in the School of Law, and the coalitions aren't very strong there," LeCount said.
LeCount said he was able to successfully campaign because he had an easier time meeting with his constituency, which was only about 500 people in the School of Law.
But Munch said he estimated it would probably take at least 500 votes total to win a CLAS seat.
Munch also said it was typically difficult to run without a coalition because independent candidates don't get the same group effort that results in better organization and finances for
campaigning.
campaign. Bender said he looked into running with KUnited after serving this year on the Rights Committee, but decided he would rather run on his own.
"Coalitions might be the right way to go, but it's not my way," Bender said, adding that he felt that coalitions tend to focus too much on only getting the presidential seat won.
he said he expected that people dissatisfied with the idea of a two-party system would appreciate his candidacy as an alternative.
His main campaigning technique will be sending out fliers detailing his campaign across campus to build name recognition among voters.
If nothing else, Bender said he hopes his campaign at least makes people aware of some of
the issues, which is a stance LeCountliked.
"I wish him the best of luck and he has more than an uphill battle than I did," LeCount said. "It's impressive, I really respect that."
—Edited by Kevin Flaherty
Lawrence gets new mayor
David Dunfield steps down, unanimous nod for Mike Rundle
By Laura Pate
lpate@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
David Dunfield stepped down from his year-long post as mayor last night. Each commissioner barraged the mayor with a round of compliments before the commission elected Mike Rundle, vice-mayor, into the office of mayor.
"I know we've had our disagreements, and I want to thank you for your patience and hard work on the job," David Schauner, commissioner, told Dunfield.
The commission then presented Dunfield with a plaque topped with a gavel to thank him for his work as mayor.
Dennis "Boog" Highberger, commissioner, nominated Rundle for mayor. Commissioners approved the nomination 5-0.
Sue Hack nominated High-
"I have a little trepidation knowing how much work it is,but I will settle right into it, and move right off."
Mike Rundle Lawrence mayor-elect
berger for vice-mayor. Commissioners approved the nomination 5-0.
Rundle will be serving his second term as mayor since 2001.
Rundle first served on the city commission in 1987, and has served a total of eight years.
"I have a little trepidation knowing how much work it is, but I will settle right into it, and move right off," Rundle said.
to work half as well as Rundle did during his stint as vice-mayor.
Highberger said his goals were
major. "It's an honor to serve the city I love so much in this position," Highberger said.
Dunfield said he looked forward to seeing the fruits of the commission's labors ripen throughout the year. The living wage debate, questions about downtown bars and the possibility of smoking bans in public places were among the key issues Dunfield and his commission explored during his term as mayor.
"In this commission we've loaded ourselves down with a lot of studies and tax forces," Dunfield said. "I do appreciate the seriousness of purpose and the dedication that's been shown in staff and I want to thank you for that."
- Edited by Guillaume Doane
Heard on the Hill
By Patrick Cady
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice will speak tomorrow to a commission investigating President Bush's terror policies before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The hearing, led by a group known as the 9-11 Commission, will try to find out what the Bush administration could have done to prevent the tragedy. The commission has led to public doubt about Bush, yet others say that commissions only help find the truth.
Do you think that the Bush administration's anti-terror policies have been effective?
"I think he has extremely short-sighted methods. The war on terror is an unending war that I don't think we can ever win." David Waterman Poola senior
"His goal was to basically eliminate Al Qaeda. He's done a good job of that." Jeremy Hats Hawarden, Iowa, sophomore
"I think what he does is right, but it isn't necessarily what is right for the country."
Tricia Hunter
Larved freshman
"I don't know how effective someone can really be. I think his worst mistake was going to Iraq." Brian Keidel Holcomb junior