Incumbent Council man Joe Clausius
By Demba Baldeh
It is official ~ Gambian born US naturalized citizen Samba Baldeh has won his election bit for a Council man seat in District 17 Madison Wisconsin. Mr. Baldeh who contested against a four times incumbent Senior Council man Joe Clausius. Joe Clausius was first elected to the Madison City Council in 2007 and has since been reelected four consecutive times. Mr. Clausius has a distinguish record as a common council man and served on several committees.
Samba Baldeh who was the fresh man challenger with virtually no political or public office experience mounted a vigorous grassroots campaign using the Obama style of hiring volunteers and knocking on doors to sell his message. Samba hails from the Gambia West Africa and immigrated to the United States in the early 2000s. Mr. Baldeh is a Software Engineer and a small business entrepreneur. He is heavily involved in his community and have always had ambitions to serve his community.
Ironically Samba works for American Family Insurance as a Software Engineer where Joe Clausius served as a healthcare lobbyist for several years before retiring and moving into public service. The freshman Common Council man elect Baldeh was armed with new ideas and promise to bring a fresh perspective and leadership approach to the city of Madison District 17. He was so impressive in presenting himself that the local Democratic party endorsed him over the incumbent. This gave him a boost and a great opportunity to win a historic election.
Mr. Baldeh’s campaign Chair Fatou Ceesay when reached by this reporter was in an exciting mood telling us that “our team is very happy at this time” we are yet to get the final results but we are optimistic that this is a clear victory said Fatou. In speaking to long time radio broadcaster and cameraman Sankulay Jallow who is Samba’s uncle, Mr., Jallow was jubilant and said they worked hard to get this victory.
In reviewing the final vote count with 100% of the precincts reporting Samba won 1004 votes 51% vs Joe 972 v0tes 49% of the votes. Mr. Baldeh earlier in the day spoke to this reporter and said “I have done everything I know how and just have to wait now”. He wrote on his personal face book page “The day is twice long if you are waiting” indicating his long wait while ballots are being cast and counted.
Mr. Baldeh’s election to a Common Council man seat is unprecedented and marks yet another historic breakthrough for African descendants whose elections to higher office was unthinkable few decades ago. The election of President Obama the first black President of the US has indeed created a whole lot of opportunities for young African Americans. Samba joined Mr. Momodou Ceesay who was also elected Mayor of Oklahoma city after also serving as a council man. Mr. Ceesay welcomed Samba’s candidacy and was supportive to his election bit. Over all young Africans are making strides into public office which can only go a long way to help echo the voices of their people and the communities they live it. Gainako and its editorial team congratulates Mr. Baldeh and his campaign team for a fight well fought and wish them well. For disclosure purposes this reporter is a childhood friend to Council man elect Samba Baldeh.