Jim McAllister, history teacher and faculty, advisor to the Student Government Association, has a problem. He blames Tracy Flick, the only declared candidate, for ruining his friend’s career, a former teacher who had an inappropriate relationship with Flick the year before. To settle the score, he convinces Paul Warren, a football star, to run against her as a way to boost his college resume. Paul’s sister Tammy decides to run as well, jealous that Paul is now dating her former friend, and secret crush. As his home life implodes, Mr. M, as he’s known to his students, risks it all to stop Tracy from winning, which blows up his professional life.
Adapted into a hit 1999 film starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, Election was Tom Perrotta’s second novel. I became reacquainted with the Tracy Flick character last fall, when Perrotta released the sequel Tracy Flick Can’t Win. This tale unfolded much as I expected it to, from my recollections of a 25-year-old film. I have yet to be disappointed by one of Perrotta’s works, so I’m sure I will be digging back into his back catalog soon enough.