Somes, III announced his intentions to run for Democratic nomination for Washington City Council, the first time a current student of W&J had done so. Somes ran on a libertarian platform of, "demolishing abandoned structures that contribute to the opioid crisis, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana within city limits, cutting any wasteful expenditures, and investigating outdated or unnecessary ordinances." Somes was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Young Democrats and the Libertarian Party of Washington County via social media. During the race, Somes' residency was challenged by the writer of an anonymous letter to the Observer–Reporter, but was refuted by Washington County election officials and Somes in statements to the paper. Somes lost the primary election to Joseph Pintola and Ken Wescott, garnering 340 votes (24.3%). See also Town and gown References Washington & Jefferson College Washington, Pennsylvania