City Council candidates say partisan beliefs are not relevant in local level contests

City Council candidates running as independents say they truly consider themselves to be independent when it comes to local issues — even if they might lean slightly left or right on matters of national politics.

Of the eight going without a formal party nomination, most said they think partisan politics aren’t relevant to the work of council and some added they felt it would actually be harmful.

“We don’t need party politics at the local level,” Ward IV candidate Turner Perrow said. “We’re not talking about national issues here; we’re talking about neighborhoods.”

Perrow, a self-employed engineer running against retired teacher Marie Waller, is a member of the local Republican Party committee. He said he doesn’t see himself as a “stereotypical Republican supporter,” though.

“Politics are so divisive right now, and I’m not about that,” he said. “That’s why I chose to run as an independent. … I consider myself more open-minded.”

When asked what his affiliation was during a forum earlier this month, Perrow responded “moderate.”

Presented with the same question, his opponent, Waller, said she always endeavored to keep her politics a mystery so as not to influence her American government students at E.C. Glass High School.

“I always wanted to walk the middle of the road, so my students could make their own decisions,” she said. “I always wanted them to be able to say, ‘Let me look at the issues and make up my own mind.’”

Waller was endorsed by local Democrats last month. She said she’s voted for members of both parties over the years, though.

In 2005, she asked for a Republican ballot during a dual primary for state offices, a decision she chalked up to a desire to support then-House of Delegates candidate Preston Bryant.

“I like Preston Bryant, and he was in trouble then because of his vote on taxes,” she recalled, adding, “It doesn’t really say anything (about my affiliation), I don’t think.”

She added she tends not to vote in primaries unless she strongly supports one candidate over another. She skipped the 2006 Democrat-only primary.

Are You a Democrat or Republican?
What the candidates had to say:
Ward I
Mike Gillette: “I think (partisan divisions are) destructive to local politics. I don’t run as an independent because it’s a clever way to label myself.” He does “line up” with Democrats on many issues.

Jim Martin: “For the purposes of local elections, I’m strictly neither. I vote for the person.” He does “tend” to vote Republican in state and federal elections.

Tom Shahady: “I’m an independent, I really am. On environmental issues, I’m very, very strong, but I’m also very conservative on other issues. So I don’t fit into one party that easily.” He does tend to vote Republican more often than Democrat.

Ward II
Ceasor Johnson: “I really try to be open-minded and vote based on the issues, not align with one particular party.” His personal philosophy does fall “more in line” with Democrats.

David Johnston: “I don’t really see where party affiliation has a whole lot to do with local elections.” He does more often vote Republican.

Ward III
Jeff Helgeson: Helgeson says he runs as a Republican because he believes in fiscal responsibility and limited government. To run as an independent would be disingenuous, he feels.

Nat Marshall: “Anyone who says I’m purely a Republican or Democrat doesn’t know me very well. … It all comes down to the individual and who I feel is the best representative. I think everyone should do likewise.”