The Story
Introducing City Council Member Scott Foster
After months of hard campaigning, Scott Foster, ’10 and his numerous supporters’ efforts paid off when he was announced as one of the two new members elected to the Williamsburg City Council on May 4th, marking a historic moment for the city as a college student joins the Council for the first time ever.
Foster was the first to declare his candidacy in January and has been working hard with his volunteers and campaign manager, Erik Houser, ’10, to gain support ever since. Even on the day of the election, volunteers stationed themselves around the College’s campus encouraging students to get to the polls, even offering rides to those who didn’t have cars of their own.
“It took a lot of hours and man power,” said Foster. “It was an encompassing effort.”
It was certainly a worthwhile effort that yielded impressive results. According to a statement released earlier in the evening, Foster earned “1559 votes, 741 more than his closest competitor,” who was the other candidate elected, Doug Pons.
“I’m kind of overwhelmed with the amount of votes we got,” said Foster later while celebrating his victory. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Also, according to that same release, “The precinct where nearly every student resides featured the highest turn out of any Virginia election today.”
Although many would suspect that this overwhelming number would only be due to the 6,000 students Foster could pool from for votes, results have shown that students only comprised approximately 67 percent of his accumulated votes. It appears that Foster’s campaign for a new, inclusive definition of Williamsburg appealed to more people than the College's students.
Another significant aspect of the results of this election is that both Pons and Foster were elected over the incumbent, Robert Braxton, a rare occurrence in any election. The citizens of Williamsburg have spoken, and apparently they are ready for new leadership and for the city to consider William and Mary in its decisions.
“This is a significant moment in our life together in Williamsburg,” said President Taylor Reveley in a press release. “The College is a vibrant and vital part of the City. In my view, it’s important to have a graduating William and Mary senior join the Council, especially one with the civility and good sense that Scott Foster brings to the table.”
Foster and Pons will both serve on the Council for four years. According to his website, Foster hopes to focus on issues of strengthening neighborhoods, improving accessibility and transparency, enhancing tourism and economic development, preserving Williamsburg’s natural beauty and water conservation. During his term, he also plans to attend the College's Law School, starting in the fall of 2011.
For now, Foster is basking in his victory as much as he can.
“Of course, I’m excited,” said Foster in a phone interview, “I’m really excited…I’m gonna be over here at the Leafe for a little while.”
Unfortunately, the problem with being the first student elected to the Council is that it means Foster isn’t quite done with the student part.
“I have an archaeology exam tomorrow so I’ll be studying for that later,” said Foster. “I plan on celebrating tomorrow.”