A number of young people are seeking political office, including, from top left clockwise, Curley, Friedlander, Chaput, Seay, and Lees (center). (Facebook/LinkedIn Profiles)
In the past two presidential elections, the victor has harnessed the power of young voters. Their energy, determination, and strong views on social issues helped push Obama to the White House not once, but twice.
“My sense is that a few more young people are running for office than was once the case. This is especially true on the local level,” SMU Political Science Professor Matthew Wilson said.
Even though an Eagleton Institute of Politics study found that less than 5 percent of elected officials in America are 18-35 years of age, some passionate young people still throw their hat in the ring. Here are a few of their stories:
Lila Friedlander
At 18 years old, Friedlander ran for Arlington City Council the same year she was legal to vote.
“Obviously you just know less automatically,” she said about being a young candidate, but added, “I don’t think [my opponent] expected me to put as much into it.”
“I think… a lot of people on city council weren’t really listening,” said Friedlander. “I was just doing it because I wanted to make my city better… I did it just to learn from it. I wouldn’t change having done it.”
Now a student at SMU, Friedlander’s debate teacher Dr. Ben Voth said, “Lila Friedlander is one of the most tenacious and persistent young debaters I have met. She shows up to almost any meeting or event ready to help and compete.”
Although she lost, Friedlander is contemplating running again, citing city council member Robert Rivera, who lost the election for the seat at age 18 and was victorious the second time around.
Kevin Curley II
Curley, 29, is currently running for Dallas City Council in District 14, which includes Lovefield Airport, Uptown, and the Lakewood area. An alumnus of Highland Park High School and Villanova, he is the youngest candidate in the race.
Some people are skeptical of his age, but he says he can use his youth as an advantage. “Dallas has some of the oldest technology. I understand how a lot of these cities work,” said Curley, who has his degree in management information systems.
Curley said of another candidate in the race: “He’s been working with the city longer than I’ve been alive.”
As for critics citing his age as a detriment to his ability, he said, “It’s not so much lack of experience, it’s just not working with City Hall.”
Curley still remembers the first time he stepped into the political realm. It was the 1992 election, and he was six years old when he participated in a fake presidential debate at the Hockaday School’s summer camp.
To those that are also considering seeking political office, Curley advised: “Don’t get frustrated or thrown off when people underestimate you. It’s actually to your advantage. They don’t expect much out of you; you can catch them off guard.”
Warren Seay, Jr.
Elected at the age of 20 while still in college at SMU, Seay currently holds a seat on the Board of Trustees for DeSoto ISD. Two years ago, he was elected president of the board at age 22.
He didn’t run for office without facing some doubters. “Some people look at it as a competence thing. Some people look at as like you didn’t wait your turn.”
But that didn’t stop Seay from capitalizing on what he could bring to the table.
“You’ve gotta walk the walk. You can’t just talk about issues; you have to be on the ground… It was always being in the schools. Mentoring, being involved,” said Seay.
“He could be making beaucoups and beaucoups money, but he’s taken these last few years to help the larger picture for himself personally and for a group of people- no matter what the cost is to him really,” said Michael Green, a classmate of Seay’s who also teaches in Desoto and was his campaign manager during his second term.
Seay realizes that young people face unfair standards in elections, saying that when an older candidate doesn’t know something, the audience does not hold that against him; however, when a younger candidate faces the same predicament, people say, “‘He’s just a kid, he’s not knowledgeable.'”
Despite this, Seay doesn’t give other younger candidates a pass. “It’s not okay if you’re 20 and you’re running for office and you don’t know those specific numbers like how big is the budget.”
Adam Lees
Lees, 24, is currently pursuing his masters at UVA while running for the democratic nomination for Charlottesville City Council in Virginia. The primary will take place June 11.
He said his age gives him an advantage when running in a college town.
“I’m not so set in my ways; I won’t immediately block out communication with certain members of the community,” said Lees.
As far as the outcome of the election goes, Lees remains positive and encourages other young politicians to do the same. “The worst that can happen is that you lose. And that is not a terrible thing. If anything, it starts a conversation that’s desperately necessary.”
Lees describes himself as having a “wicked sense of humor.” When asked what he will do if he doesn’t win, Lees said, “I hope it works… if it doesn’t, well, hakuna matata.”
Catt Chaput
Before she could legally drink, Chaput began planning her campaign for North Adams City Council in Massachusetts. One of her opponents would donate her yard signs and her campaign budget would be $35.
Chaput, now 22 and a student at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, lost the election, but has realized that she would much rather focus on policy behind the scenes than be on the front lines campaigning.
She said most of the flack she received because of her age came from other voters, not her opponents. She remembers someone saying to her, “Little girl, you just don’t understand these things.”
Young people, like Chaput, do understand they have a right to run. More and more youth are pursing political careers and winning the vote.
