ONLINE POKER PLAYER ELECTED TO RUSSIAN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Monday, May 7,2012 : ONLINE POKER PLAYER ELECTED TO RUSSIAN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
 
Max Katz funded his campaign from online poker victories
 
The recent municipal elections in Russia saw 27-year-old internet poker ace Max Katz elected to the municipal council chambers of Shchukino, a district in Moscow…and it was funded from his online poker winnings, reports the Telegraph newspaper, quoting the Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
 
Katz stood as an independent, inspired by the public demonstrations demanding free and fair elections that took place in Russia in December last year
 
The young poker player has greater ambitions that a mere council seat, however.
 
“I want to become mayor in a small Russian town when I am 35, and test my urban development plans,” he told Rossiyskaya Gazeta, noting that he funded his campaign with money he earned playing online poker.
 
Katz has a truly independent mindset. “Everyone told me I should make the same promises other politicians were making, that I would vow to punish corrupt politicians, reduce the costs of gas and water, and so on," he recalled. "But I chose to be honest.”

His campaign flyers read: “My name is Max Katz. I am 27 years old. The election for the Shchukino municipal council is being held on March 4. This body is completely useless. It possesses no power whatsoever.”
 
The Shchukino district is known as a prosperous, middle-class neighbourhood, full of successful young people. Out of a total of 16 candidates, Katz received the third-highest number of votes, winning him a seat in the municipal council along with four other members.