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An underground movement to unseat longtime Clinton Mayor Lew Starling through a write-in campaign is apparently winding its way through some residents’ text messages, urging a targeted group of voters to help elevate a retiring councilman to the post.

At least one of those promoting the write-in campaign is former city Planning Director Mary Rose, whose mobile telephone number was linked to a text message saying, “Grassroots write in campaign to elect Daniel Ruggles as mayor. Please consider voting for this change in leadership. If you have questions call me.” The message ends with a graphic showing where to write in Ruggles’ name underneath Starling’s on the ballot.

The Independent obtained the text message from a recipient who said it had gone to numerous people throug

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