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Christopher Clark (Politician)
Christopher Clark | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Counselor, ΣΠ Γ-Α | |
| Assumed office January 5th, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Keith Kokotovich, Jr. |
| 4th Counselor, ΣΠ Γ-Α | |
| In office June 6th, 2014 – January 1st, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Keith Kokotovich, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | David Duron |
| Pledge Class President, Fall 2013, ΣΠ Γ-Α | |
| In office October 20th, 2013 – November 24th, 2013 | |
| Elections Inspector for Springfield Township | |
| In office July 30th, 2012 – November 8th, 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 5, 1995 Clawson, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican Party (2004-Present), Federalist (June 2012), Feudalist (2010-Present) |
| Residence | Springfield Township, Michigan |
| Alma mater | Our Lady of the Lakes High School (Waterford Township, Michigan) |
Christopher Andrew Clark (born November 5th, 1995) is an American politician active in his residential area of Springfield Township, Michigan, as well as his college, University of Detroit Mercy. He has served on the Executive Council of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International's Gamma-Alpha Chapter since June of 2014.
Early Life
Clark's political beginnings trace back to the 2004 election where he was a fervent supporter of then-President George W. Bush who was running for re-election. In 2008 he would again support the Republican nominee, this time Senator John McCain of Arizona (though he had previously supported Fred Thompson and later Mitt Romney in the primaries.
Clark acted as a principle founder of the United States Feudalist Party and, on that line, he would make his first few unsuccessful runs for public office.
Campaigns, 2012
In May, following an enthusiastic nomination by the Feudalists, Clark went onto face former Vice President Haley Howell for the Student Council Vice Presidency, Class of 2013. With incumbent Garret Ross stepping out of the way, these two titans did battle in the general election. However, the establishment was poised against Clark, claiming first "There is no Feudalist Party", and also preventing him from giving his speech--which campaign staffers agreed would have easily won him the election. Instead, he lost by what was estimated a roughly 25 to 20 count.
Following that, Clark, not a member of the National Honor Society, nonetheless led a write-in campaign for NHS Historian. With the establishment once again opposing his every move, he was denied ballot access but was able to win a moral victory when this time he was allowed to give a speech.
In June 2012 at Michigan Boys State, Clark was elected as a Federalist (not Feudalist) to the Michigan Boys State House of Representatives. Taking office on the 19th, he soon rose to the position of Chairman of the House Committee on Crime which was a major asset in blocking attempts at gun control and moving through legislation concerning prostitution legalization.
Since the dawn of 2012, Clark had set his sights on becoming Elections Inspector. Unlike with other positions where the powers that be wouldn't let a person under eighteen hold an office, this one was within his grasp. Though surrounded by older and more distinguished colleagues, Clark nonetheless made the list of Reserve Elections Inspectors, serving as the Republican representative. He would go on to serve as an Inspector for Springfield Township's 8th Precinct in the November, 2012 Presidential Election.
On August 6th, 2012, Clark launched a write-in campaign for Delegate to the County Convention. He hopes to turn in the form for it tomorrow, the day of the election. This all, despite not being a registered voter and thus not elegible.
Sigma Pi and 2014 Campaigns
Entering school in August, 2013 at the University of Detroit Mercy, Clark's earlier rebuffed attempts at electoral success served to discourage him from seeking public office. However, on October 4th, 2013, he accepted his bid to join Sigma Pi Fraternity, International's Gamma-Alpha Chapter. Initially, Alex Wesche was elected Pledge Class President unopposed. However, with Wesche's decision to cease his pledging process in favor of more base pursuits, the class was in need of a new President. Vice President Anthony Agrusa was unwilling to accept the office, Clark was elected in another unopposed vote on October 20th, 2013. As President, Clark led the class' nine other members to cross on November 24th, 2013. In his second semester at Detroit Mercy, all four officers assigned to attend Sigma Pi's Mid-Year Leadership Conference in St. Louis, MO were unable to attend. Choosing to step up, Clark joined 5th-year Hans Stroven, sophomore Zachary Amborski, and his fellow freshman Jacob Williams on the trip. In that capacity, he was a substitute for 3rd Counselor Anthony Barakat. At the Chapter's 52nd Annual Orchid Ball, he was presented with the "Pledge of the Year 2013-2014" Award.
Following the cessation of his duties, Clark found himself in a good position to join Sigma Pi's Executive Council in the April, 2014 elections. He received nominations for 2nd Counselor, 4th Counselor, 1st Counselor, and Herald. In an expected result, Clark was beaten by then-Herald Leo LaBond for 2nd Counselor. With incumbent Keith Kokotovich, Jr. deciding not to run for re-election in favor of assuming the position of 1st Counselor, Clark beat his pledge brother 3rd Counselor Anthony Barakat for the post of 4th Counselor. Taking office in June, 2014, Clark served as Sigma Pi's Secretary. During the Fall 2014 term, he also served on Johnathan Faski's New Member Education Committee, Kokotovich's Judicial Board, and as a Delegate to Greek Council.
Having established himself as a responsible member of the Executive Council, Clark was hoping to be elected to the spot of either 2nd Counselor or 1st Counselor. Declining nominations for Sage and 3rd Counselor, Clark was in the running for 2nd Counselor, 4th Counselor, and 1st Counselor. With Eric Lewis' decision to run for a second term as Sage, Leo LaBond was easily re-elected as 2nd Counselor. In a shocking move, Clark erased his name from the board for 4th Counselor, leaving 1st Counselor as his only chance to retain a post on the Executive Council. In a three-way race, Clark beat Keith Kokotovich, Jr., the incumbent and Herald Leonardo Orozco for the position. As First Counselor, Clark chairs the Judicial Board on which he previously served, leads Risk Management, and is head of alumni relations for the Chapter. He also continues as a member of Greek Council, it being a year-long position, and is on Anthony Barakat's New Member Education committee--the chairmanship of which he almost won as a sophomore. During the period before his inauguration and his first two months in office, Clark spearheaded a rejuvenation of alumni relations and successfully led Risk Management once. Some of Clark's policies have received blowback from house residents due to his decision to selectively enforce rules more stringently than his predecessor.
Clark is considered a potential candidate for Sage, 2nd Counselor, and for retaining his post as 1st Counselor in the upcoming April 2015 elections. He also has made reference to his intention to run for New Member Education Chairman.
Electoral History
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Christopher Clark | 4 | 100 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Haley Howell | 25 | 60 | |
| Republican | Christopher Clark | 20 | 40 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federalist | Christopher Clark | 4 | 100 | |