Kuehl’s Write-In Marketing campaign Defeats Incumbent DeFendini

3 weeks ago 2 min read

After launching a shock write-in marketing campaign for the Fourth Ward’s four-year seat on the Ithaca Widespread Council, Cornell Scholar Meeting president Patrick Kuehl ’24 edged out Jorge DeFendini ’22 (D-Fourth Ward) for the win. The final absentee and affidavit ballots had been tallied on Thursday, Nov. 16, the place Kuehl completed with 49 votes and DeFendini had 40 votes.

A hand recount was known as to confirm the outcomes, confirming Kuehl’s victory.

Kuehl will symbolize a lot of Cornell’s campus after town’s wards had been redrawn in 2022. The Fourth Ward’s space encompasses Central Campus, West Campus and Collegetown.

Beforehand an uncontested race, Kuehl mentioned he determined to run attributable to Ithacans’ dissatisfaction with DeFendini’s position on the Solidarity Slate, a bunch aiming to middle racial justice, enhance housing entry and high quality and produce the group collectively, in keeping with the group’s web site. DeFendini is one among three candidates within the group, together with Kayla Matos (D) — who defeated Cynthia Brock (D-First Ward) for the First Ward’s four-year seat — and Phoebe Brown (D-Second Ward).

Kuehl’s marketing campaign and its lack of public on-line presence has stirred confusion amongst different candidates and college students. The Solar first discovered about his attainable write-in candidacy on Oct. 10, however when requested, Kuehl denied the marketing campaign existed.

“I’m not [running for Common Council] lmao who informed u that [sic],” Kuehl mentioned in an Oct. 11 assertion, which was delivered through textual content message.

Later expressing his want to hold the potential candidacy personal on the time — because it was not finalized — Kuehl emphasised he has been clear in his marketing campaign regardless of his unsure post-graduation plans. It’s unclear whether or not Kuehl intends to remain in Ithaca previous his August commencement to hold out the four-year time period.

“I had no intention of operating initially, however because it turned clear to me that there have been no different choices on the present time, I agreed to be the candidate understanding that my future in Ithaca is unsure; I’ve made that abundantly clear to each these concerned with the marketing campaign and the group members I’ve talked to all through this course of,” Kuehl informed The Solar on Wednesday, Nov. 8. “I consider that no particular person ought to run unopposed, concepts must be challenged and the individuals must be given a alternative. If there isn’t any opposition, there isn’t any accountability to make the world a greater place.”

Kuehl’s place will take impact on Jan. 1.

Correction, Nov. 16, 9:08 p.m.: A earlier model of this text acknowledged the inaccurate date that Kuehl delivered a press release about his write-in marketing campaign to The Solar. He spoke to The Solar on Nov. 8, not Oct. 8.