Flash Gordon, Mayor Butt, And Mr. Mister Phillips: Unusual Names Don't Necessarily Get Votes, But They Do Get Attention

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Odd names on the ballot range from interesting real names to comic book heroes who got onto the ballot.

Some examples include Flash Gordon, who ran for a BART board of directors seat in San Francisco.

If you're running for BART board, you want things to move with great speed, so why not elect a guy named "Flash"? Voters didn't agree. He did manage to get over 4,000 votes and 7%, but not a win, so BART trains will not have a superhero in name only at their organizational helm.

"I think there might be a slight marginal value in having an unusual name -- when it helps the name stick in people's minds. But there's no way people just vote for a funny name if the guy isn't actually qualified," said Kari Chisholm, political strategist and founder of Mandate Media.

Another name that caught voters' attention was that of Mr. Mister Phillips. The man with two titles in his name ran for West Contra Costa Unified School Board. At latest count, he had 12% of the vote and was in 4th place of the "choose three" race, with third projected winner claiming 12% of the vote.

COMPLETE RESULTS: www.CBSsf.com/election

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt won a hotly contested election. You can bet Mayor Butt has been the butt of jokes all his life, but voters want him in office, and the name may have helped people remember him. His competitor's name was a tongue twister for many voters: Uche Uwahemu. Butt had 51% with challenger Nat Bates at 36% and Uwahemu at 13%.

In Oakland, the candidate with the smartest name, Einstein, unfortunately wasn't able to make the ballot, though many voters supported his candidacy. The mononymous neophyte politico, was unfortunately for his campaign staff, a dog.

And in Michigan, a well-known name made the ballot, but only as a write-in: Jim Harbaugh.
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