Candidates Set Up Shop

As the 2009 NABJ Convention kicked-off Wednesday, some of those campaigning for board positions set up shop with hopes to win the support of convention-goers during registration.

Lee Sandra Alexandre, one of the three candidates for student representative, had photocopied handouts on her table.

All of the presidential candidates had a substantial amount of material on their tables, including campaign buttons, stickers and postcards.

Angelo Henderson’s table featured two handouts, while Kathy Times’ display included a video screen, handouts and multiple tri-fold boards.

Deirdre Childress, who is running for vice president for print, featured a variety of giveaways, such as T-shirts, phone cards and pig-shaped stress balls at her booth.

Racquel Harper, a broadcast journalist from Los Angeles and a relative of Childress, said that volunteers were stationed at the booth from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Andrew Humphrey,  a candidate for vice president for broadcast, had an equally comprehensive booth.

His stand was stocked with pins and handouts, and featured a streaming campaign video. Humphrey’s wife was close by to answer any questions about her husband.

With polls scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Friday, convention-goers are sure to see increasingly aggressive campaign tactics.  If the first day was any indication, it will be hard to escape voter-hungry campaigners.

-Wesley Lowery