David Earl Marshall
VP candidate for Sparty Party (2012)
VP candidate for Harty Party (2016)
Running mate with nominee (2012, 2016): Benjamin Jeffry Hartnell (b. 1977)
Popular vote (2012): 34 (0.00%)
Popular vote (2016): 721 (0.00%)
Electoral vote (2012, 2016): 0/538
The campaign (2012):
Ben Hartnell, a history teacher at Westerville North High School in Ohio initially ran for President as a gimmick to sell t-shirts for a local charity. He also used the the campaign as an opportunity to teach his students about the political process. His VP was his cousin Dave Marshall, a resident of Michigan, "Dave is good people and has been my personal role model my entire life. I'd trust him with anything. Dave and I have already solved all the world's problems over the years. Now we just need the chance to put our plans in action."
The Sparty Party's name reflects Hartnell's enthusiasm as a fan of the Michigan State University Spartans.
As for his platform, Hartnell said, "I will ask America what my stance should be on every political issue…and then have the country call, e-mail or text their votes in to our special Government Hotline. Charge will be $1 per call, e-mail, or text…and you can vote as many times as you want. We will keep the lines open for one week. At the end of that week, whatever decision has received the most votes… BAM…that will be my official stance."
However, he did say he would simplify the Tax Code, "Out with the 50,000 page tax code. In with the index card. It’s plain and simple. At the top of your 3” x 5” index card, write your name, address and Social Security number. Beneath that, write down how much you made last year. The government is going to take 25 percent of that. The end."
Although not registered as a write-in, Hartnell received 34 votes in 2012.
The campaign (2016):
The 2012 campaign was sort of a dress rehearsal for the 2016 election. Using pretty much the same formula except this time under the Harty Party banner, Hartnell did make a serious effort to become a registered write-in candidate in as many states as he could and used his experience as a real-life example in civics for his students. Once again his cousin Dave was his running-mate.
Hartnell, who sometimes wore costumes in his classroom, had a particularly outrageous set of clothes while out and about electioneering. He told the media, "'Macho Man' Randy Savage was my all-time favorite wrestler growing up. So, we found a way to turn that into Uncle 'Macho Man' Sam, I guess you could say."
The Hartnell/Marshall ticket were registered write-ins in 25 states, receiving 721 known votes. Their largest share came from Ohio, 589 votes, 0.01% of the state total.
Election history: none.
Other occupations: health care manufacturing and distribution
Notes:
Henry Adams Thompson, the Prohibition Party VP in the election of 1880, is buried in Westerville.
