“I’m still a candidate, just a write-in candidate,” said 22-year-old Independent City Council candidate Andrew Williams yesterday in front of City Hall, after his petition to be on the November 3 ballot fell short of the minimum number of signatures required from registered voters.
Williams explained that he heard about several unregistered signatures less than 24 hours before the deadline and was unable to find the 25 signatures he needed.
“Now I will just have to reorganize my marketing strategy and my whole campaign,” he said, noting that he still believes he can contribute to the city.
Williams said he wanted to focus on improving safety and education in Charlottesville as well as to revisit council’s allocation of government funds. He says he does not have exact plans for these issues yet, but that he will “rely on the perspectives of all the Charlottesville residents [he] can talk to.”
As Williams develops his own ideas on the issues, he said he recognizes people may be skeptical of him because of his youth. Williams, though, emphasized that his age could bring a new perspective to City Council.
“It’s time for the young people to bring up the mantle and let older people retire,” he told C-VILLE.
“I do recognize it is an uphill battle…but I’m still happy and still optimistic,” he said.
Williams will be running against Democratic candidates Kristin Szakos and current Mayor Dave Norris as well as Independents Paul Long and Bob Fenwick.
