18-year-old write-in candidate elected mayor

[Rob Imes]

Forgive me for posting the whole article, but...

Taken from
http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm7249_20051109.htm


18-year-old write-in candidate elected Hillsdale mayor

Wednesday, November 9, 2005
ASSOCIATED PRESS

HILLSDALE - An 18-year-old high school student has been elected mayor after mounting a write-in campaign to oust the 51-year-old incumbent.

With all the votes counted, Michael Sessions had 732 votes to 668 for Mayor Doug Ingles, according to unofficial figures posted on the city's Web site.

A cheer went up in the Sessions home when the results were announced over the radio. The Hillsdale High School student lives with his parents and 13-year-old sister Sarah.

Scott and Lorri Sessions at first had doubts about the wisdom of their son's candidacy, he said.

"They thought I was crazy and (were) pretty skeptical of my campaign, but now they have smiles from cheek-to-cheek," Sessions told The Blade of Toledo, Ohio.

Hillsdale - population 8,200 - is home to the 160-year-old, 1,200-student Hillsdale College.

Pending clearance by the County Board of Canvassers on Thursday, Sessions will be the youngest mayor in city history, the Hillsdale Daily News reported.

Sessions was 17 and not yet qualified to get on the ballot in the spring.

But one day after his birthday, on Sept. 22, he registered to vote. The next day, he signed up as a write-in candidate.

He used $700 from a summer job to fund his race.

"Right off, I'm not going to get their respect, they'll say: 'This kid could be my grandson,'" Sessions said of the City Council. "But it's not about bossing them around, it will be about cooperating with them."

Sessions put up signs all over Hillsdale and campaigned door-to-door.

"A lot of older people really enjoyed talking to me. I looked them in the eye. Young people could relate to me," he said.

Ingles declined comment Tuesday night but asked earlier, "How much credibility does an 18-year-old have?"

Sessions responded Tuesday night, "They elected me mayor, so obviously the people of Hillsdale took me seriously."

[Karl J. Barnes]

Voter apathy strikes again:With all the votes counted, Michael Sessions had 732 votes to 668 for Mayor Doug Ingles, according to unofficial figures posted on the city's Web site.

This out of 8,200 population. Though interesting, if they let the teenager actually become mayor, still the low turn out is not very heartening.

[Cyke]

Something tells me this is how Mayor Quimby started.

He's certainly got the libido of an 18 yr old, that's for sure.

[thehod]

Ingles declined comment Tuesday night but asked earlier, "How much credibility does an 18-year-old have?"

Well, a damn sight more than you it seems, Mr Ingles.

[DarlingNikki]

Ingles declined comment Tuesday night but asked earlier, "How much credibility does an 18-year-old have?"

evidently, more than the 51 year old incumbent mayor

[Dom]

The mayor's office is going to smell like a bong for 4 years.

[Karl J. Barnes]

The mayor's office is going to smell like a bong for 4 years.

And old Twinkie wrappers and pizza boxes.

[StoneGold]

Someone's gettin' laid this weekend!

[Charles RB]

Sessions is an inspiration to all us young'uns everywhere.

And that few votes in a town of 8,200? Ye gods, Ingles, no wonder a write-in vote candidate beat you if you are so crap you can only convince 668 people to vote for you.

[o1pickleboy]

Was their another candiate? Or was the only options the write in kid or the Mayor. That may of cause some apathy.

[Slam_Bradley]

This out of 8,200 population. Though interesting, if they let the teenager actually become mayor, still the low turn out is not very heartening.


That's a total population of 8,200. Depending on the demographics of the area half or more of those people may not be voting age. Plus a large number of eligible voters won't be registered. Still if you figure 1400 votes out of 4100 possible that is 33% which, while dismally low, is still pretty good for an off-year mayoral race.

[thik_3rd]

i remember this, i dunno, 60 minutes?, piece on some kid getting elected mayor of some west bubba fuck, south dakota city, then working his way up to the state senate.

[o1pickleboy]

This could start a thread. I could see many young student's trying for politic office now that they know they have a chance.

I mean let see what is the worst that can happen

1) irresponiblity- already have that with adult candiates

2) immaturity- already have that with adult candiates

3) Possible bad judgement call due to lack of life experience vs bad judgement calls made by oweing favors due to your life experience.

hmmm...


So would you vote for the kid or any youngster running for office?

[The Dosadi Experiment]

I'd sooner vote for the young kid than the old guy.

Old people are tied to various instances, young people are still idealistic and free. Old people are corrupted by their experiences in the field. Young people aren't.

[StoneGold]

Besides, the kid could so make a fortune optioning the rights of his story to Disney. Do a quicky rush job on it, and not knowing what the hell this kid looks like, I could see him being played by, oh, Reece from Malcom in the Middle?

[YoursTruly]

I wouldn't say that an 18 year old couldn't be a better mayor but I can say that I'm definately smarter through experience than I was when I was 18. Text book knowledge works great until something happens that isn't in the text books if ya get what I'm sayin.

[Noah Johnson]

Holy crap, it's Prez.

[west3man]

It could go well or poorly. I don't know if someone's helping him with his public statements, but they seem to be well-crafted, if you know what I mean.

Also, like someone else said, the lack of references to another opponent may explain the apparently poor turn-out.

[o1pickleboy]

I wouldn't say that an 18 year old couldn't be a better mayor but I can say that I'm definately smarter through experience than I was when I was 18. Text book knowledge works great until something happens that isn't in the text books if ya get what I'm sayin.


True, but many politican don't use their experience either. They use party propergada and soundbites. I don't see the age of the candiate being an issue. If age= experiance and experiance equals better. Then are best presidents would have been the oldest ones.

[Mike Smash!]

evidently, more than the 51 year old incumbent mayorThat's what I thought.

I think it's awesome that the kid really worked his ass off for this and I hope he does his town proud.

What impresses me most is that as a write-in campaign, people really voted for HIM. They didn't just vote against his opponent. They had to remember his name and write it down on the ballot.

Good for him.

[Dom]

Holy crap, it's Prez.


I'm going to get this kid's address and send him a goofy sweater.

[west3man]

What impresses me most is that as a write-in campaign, people really voted for HIM. They didn't just vote against his opponent. They had to remember his name and write it down on the ballot.
Good point.
I was impressed by the fact that he didn't just use money other people donated. He's a teenager, living with his parents, and he wanted this enough to spend hundreds of his own dollars on his campaign.

We've got a very young member of the City Council who carries himself very well and seems to, at least on the surface, be wise beyond his years.

What the hell is "surface wisdom?"

[i_mmmchocolate]

Nanny will be so proud!

[YoursTruly]

True, but many politican don't use their experience either. They use party propergada and soundbites. I don't see the age of the candiate being an issue. If age= experiance adn experiance equal better. Then are best presidents would have been the oldest ones.

That's why I said I couldn't say an 18 year old wouldn't make a better mayor. It depends on his opposition. A 50 year old man/woman who'd been in public office and not corrupted for years... who actually used his experience instead of going with the "I have a job where I can tell everyone else to make decisions rather than making a decision of my own" ... a man/woman who's seen how the economy and other issues have changed over time and knows what mistakes have already been made would make a better mayor in my opinion. The 18 year old may have better stage presence and public speaking abilities but does he know how to fix employment issues seeing that he hasn't been employed longer than 3 years? Does he know which areas need funding more than others? Does he know how his decisions will effect the area in 20 years? He wasn't even born 20 years ago to see the effects of decisions made back then. The only thing he has to base his knowledge on are text books which we all know are faulty. I don't really like the word "experience". I think mentality is a better word for why I wouldn't vote for an 18 year old. We learn from our mistakes and I just don't think that an 18 year old boy who hasn't even experienced life outside of his mother's home could the BEST man for the job. He may be better than the current idiot they have which is really sad. If you haven't even figured up a budget for yourself and made it work, how can you do it for an entire city? Sure, it's easy when you say "you have this much money and here are the areas you have to spilt it between" but what about emergency situations? (fires, natural disasters, etc)

[Mike Smith]

This is a very interesting case. Only time will reveal individual competence.

[Gaz]

Holy crap, it's Prez.
Goofy original Prez, crappy Vertigo mini Prez or awesome Neil Gaiman Sandman Prez? :p

[Gaz]

Someone's gettin' laid this weekend!
For shame! There's a perfectly good "polling the electorate" gag just sitting there and you wasted it.

[Noah Johnson]

Goofy original Prez, crappy Vertigo mini Prez or awesome Neil Gaiman Sandman Prez? :p
Only time will tell, though obviously I'm hoping for the latter.

[Michael P]

For shame! There's a perfectly good "polling the electorate" gag just sitting there and you wasted it.
"How would you like a street named after you?"

[Grazzt]

"How would you like a street named after you?"

If it works for Jim West, it'll work for anyone.

[Hiromi]

This will look good on his resume one day.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Good point.
I was impressed by the fact that he didn't just use money other people donated. He's a teenager, living with his parents, and he wanted this enough to spend hundreds of his own dollars on his campaign.
[/SIZE]

I liked that he seemed to deal with the press a lot better.
The humiliated incumbent wouldn't comment because he got caught off guard by a write in campagin.

This kid is a living Ficus!

[Gaz]

Only time will tell, though obviously I'm hoping for the latter.
See, he should just show up in Infinite Crisis, tell the Anti-Monitor or whoever to chill and hammer out a treaty over sodas. :D

[Noah Johnson]

See, he should just show up in Infinite Crisis, tell the Anti-Monitor or whoever to chill and hammer out a treaty over sodas. :D
God... good government in action... now I'm all nostalgic.
http://thepaincomics.com/Remember%20When.jpg

[Sanagi]

Holy crap, it's Prez.
I was just going to say that.

[tempestuousepulchre]

One of my college organizations campaigned for an 18-year-old mayoral candidate. Although he narrowly lost, something tells me that this is becoming a trend. Maybe people are tired of the corruption normally associated with age. They might just want a breath of fresh air.

[StoneGold]

Worked in Phantom Menace, right?

http://www.brightdreamer.150m.com/starwars/amidala1.jpg

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

One of my college organizations campaigned for an 18-year-old mayoral candidate. Although he narrowly lost, something tells me that this is becoming a trend. Maybe people are tired of the corruption normally associated with age. They might just want a breath of fresh air.

Well I've seen interviews with politicians (or retired one's) talking about how every politican has to lie and all are compromised by the time to they get to power...

So maybe it's a hope that the young people are still idealistic enough to not get compromised by accepting money or still have the passion to put up a fight.

[Paradox]

I'm old and my memory is fuzzy. Didn't something similar happen in Cleveland or its environs a couple of decades ago?