The American Milibands

If you thought the Labour leadership election last year was tough on the Milbands’ mother, spare a thought for the Krumnow family of Elmore, Ohio. Brothers Lowell and James are engaged in what could be an even bigger electoral contest. They’re fighting not over the leadership of the Labour party, but instead to be mayor of a 1,500-strong town.

And, as with the David-Ed battle, this campaign hasn’t taken a particularly fraternal course. 54-year-old Lowell — the incumbent mayor — has taken a swipe at his older brother’s record on the council:

“He has probably missed more meetings in the two years he’s been a councilmember than I have missed in 20 years. And I understand you’ve got to pay the bills, but if you run for political office and you know you can’t make some of the meetings, then why are you stepping up to the bat?”

“People see me in town more and I do support the town’s small businesses more as far as when I’m buying my gasoline, eating at restaurants, getting my hair cut.