At the start of a new semester, many students find it difficult to balance class, homework, jobs and a social life. But Binghamton University senior Corey Walker manages to do all four and more — he’s running his own election for public office.
Walker, a political science major, is currently running for the Broome County Legislature for the town of Chenango on the Democratic ticket.
“I’m in the age bracket that is the future tax base of this county,” he said. “If the current legislature keeps going the way it is, we’re just going to keep going downhill. If I’m going to live here for the next 30 to 40 years, things really have to change.”
Walker’s family has been living in the Chenango area for three generations, and he plans on continuing the trend. These strong ties to his community, he said, greatly influenced his decision to run.
In addition to property tax, Walker is focusing his campaign on the economic development of Broome County and environmental protection. Trying to stimulate job growth in the area, he added, was another priority.
Walker’s opponent Jerry Marinich, the incumbent Republican, is completing his second term in office. Walker feels it’s time for a change.
“He’s been in there for a while and he’s been uncontested,” Walker said, “and now he needs to be contested.”
Marinich, who has been in office for two two-year terms, said that he has neither met with nor spoken to Walker. He is a self-proclaimed Republican conservative, and cited his endeavors to save money for the Town of Chenango as his major accomplishments while in office — including arranging an inter-municipal agreement that allowed the new city hall building to use an existing refueling system, as opposed to having to build a new one.
The 19-person Broome County Legislature consists mainly of Republicans, and Walker feels the current representatives have done an inadequate job.
“Republicans have held onto the office for 10 years,” he said. “They’ve taken control of the legislature, taxes have gone up and it’s not making things for people my age look good.”
Marinich said that he sees student and community interaction as a positive thing. “I certainly support the BU center Downtown,” he said. “I believe students should become more involved in the community.”
And although Walker has been busy with his campaign, he also holds a full-time job, as a sales representative for A.L. George. He distributes beer, Vitamin Water and “things of the sort to area stores,” he said.
In contrast stands Marinich, who is financing his campaign through more traditional means like personal loans and fund raising.
In order to properly prepare for the election, Walker has had to cut down his course load for the semester.
“I’ve cut it down to one class and an internship,” he said. “Most people are writing about how they’re interning with [U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, or New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer], but I’m actually interning with myself for my own campaign.”
While Walker has been running his campaign almost entirely by himself, he said that help is always needed and appreciated.
“It’s pretty much a one-man show right now,” he said. “We’re always looking for help … and if anyone wants to help me personally, I’ll buy you a beer or Vitamin Water.”