Anne Carol Pearson

Grandma Walton inherits $250 and with it a host of problems.

Keith is suddenly jolted out of his political apathy when Laurie takes him to a rally where Richard Lawrence, a candidate for Congressman, is speaking. Keith is so enthusiastic about the man that he decides to help Lawrence run his campaign. That night, Lawrence, who is handsome and charming besides being an excellent candidate, visits the Partridges to see if they will perform at a rally he is giving. All the kids notice that there is an immediate attraction between the politician and Shirley and, in fact, Richard invites their mother out to dinner that very night. Within a few days, there is obviously a budding romance going on between Shirley and Richard, now known as "Dick." But Keith feels insecure about this, afraid he is going to lose his mother. Shirley dispels her son's jealousy by explaining to him that there are some times when she feels very lonely and wants a man's companionship. Although Richard later loses the election, he flatters Shirley by saying that losing has its advantages, for this way he will not have to go off to Washington and be separated from her.

Laurie is chosen to be campaign manager for Phyllis Goldberg, who is a candidate for the school presidency. Unfortunately, Phyllis, an intelligent but very timid girl, will have to compete for this chosen position with Keith, who is without a doubt the more popular of the two. Overly assured that he will win because of his personal charm and magnetism, Keith is rather surprised to learn from Danny, the official pollster, that although he is far ahead, his strongest support comes from the students to whom he spoke during music and woodshop. This is significant, for these students could not really hear his speech, and judged him solely on his popularity. Keith's lack of awareness of school problems becomes quite evident when Phyllis challenges him to a debate, after which Danny informs him that the school is equally divided between the two candidates. Keith seriously considers dropping out of the race because he is afraid of losing. Instead, he throws his support to the Goldberg camp by telling students that Phyllis' qualifications are far superior to his, which he sincerely believes. But Keith has far underestimated his own popularity, for he still manages to win the election. Phyllis is a good sport about losing, and is satisfied with having made so many new friends during the campaign.