Candidates Stumped Until the End

Angelo's fan.

By Wesley Lowery

Wiping away the sweat dripping from his forehead on Friday afternoon, NABJ presidential candidate Angelo Henderson jogged between his two campaign booths – one outside of the career fair and the other just a few feet away from the polls.

With just four hours until the polls closed, Henderson has stepped up campaigning efforts and visibility, choosing to hand out pamphlets and paper fans to convention-goers who, like him, are victims of the Tampa heat.

“Today is the big day, it’s stump day,” Henderson said.

He wasn’t the only candidate with an increasingly visible presence in the election’s final hours.

“I think I have been the most visible candidate in my race,” said Sherlon Christie, one of three candidates for secretary.

Christie was spotted working booth in the lobby and career fair floors – shaking hands and urging NABJ members to cast their vote.

Both Vice President-Print candidates, Rochelle Riley and Deidre Childress were actively recruiting votes, too.

Riley, who personally manned her booth outside of the polling location, said she was “excited” to find out the results of tonight’s campaign, while Childress’ campaign member Racquel Harper solicited votes in the convention center hallway.

“Have you voted yet?” Harper asked passers-by. “Will you please vote for Deidre Childress for Vice President-Print?”

Some agreed. Others just kept walking.