When Houston was awarded the 2021 World Championships, we knew Texas would see first-hand the power which can be imparted to a table tennis ball. Yesterday, a Houston suburb got a sneak preview. While sports are usually a respite from the crazy world of politics, their paths have crossed before. From the famous Ping-Pong Diplomacy between the US and China in 1971-72, to the United Korea women's table tennis team winning the 1991 World Championships, it is not unheard of for our favorite sport to exert an influence in the political arena. For just the latest example, we go to Dickinson, Texas, a city of just over 20,000 just southwest of Houston. While everyone involved knew that the mayoral race between Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth (pictured) would be close, no one could have guessed exactly how close. Neither candidate secured 50% of the votes among all candidates, triggering a runoff between Lawrence and Skipworth, the top two finishers. The ballot count produced an unlikely result, confirmed by a recount: of the 2,020 votes cast in the 2020 race, Lawrence and Skipworth each got exactly 1,010. Luckily, Texas law had anticipated such a possibility, and declared that any such tied contest should be settled by casting lots (i.e. any game of pure chance). In this case, the city of Dickinson arranged for outgoing mayor Julie Masters to draw a name out of a hat. The two candidates would each write their names, not on slips of paper but—wait for it—ping-pong balls. With much fanfare and media attention, the ceremony was staged at City Hall with both candidates present. As Mayor Masters held the hat aloft, her assistant drew a ball for her to read. With the crowded room holding its collective breath, Masters read the name of her successor, handwritten on the 40mm plastic ball: "Sean Skipworth." "I just thank everyone for coming out and voting," said a relieved and incredulous Skipworth. "Literally, every vote counted." To her credit, the unlucky loser Jennifer Lawrence did not dispute the unambiguous result but accepted that it "went how it was supposed to go." In an even more refreshing display of maturity in the political arena, Lawrence put the needs of the populace ahead of her own ego, stating, "I told Sean I would support him, and I will, and I think unity is the way to go to get stuff done." Now, after an election which could not have been closer, the city of Dickinson prepares to move forward in a spirit of cooperation and unity behind lucky Mayor Skipworth. The true power behind the throne, however, must already be scheming to exert its king-making influence on a grander scale. That, of course, would be the ping-pong ball who installed him.

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