The youngest elected Mayor of United States and discovers the political side of the 18 year old!
Michael Sessions, a high school student from Hillsdale, Michigan did the unbelievable. He contested for the seat of a Mayor in his small town and to everyone's surprise - Won! Media from as far as Japan and Russia - covered this extraordinary victory. JAM did an email interview with the young achiever. Here is Michael’s amazing story.
His name was not even on the ballot paper but he won the election. How did that happen? Well, Michael Sessions contested as a 'write in ballot'. This procedure requires the voters to write down the name of the person whom they would like to vote for, even if the name does not appear in the official list.
You may wonder why Michael’s name was missing. This was simply because he was too young at the time that nomination papers were to be filed! But that didn't stop Michael from contesting. As soon as he turned 18, he grabbed the privilege that we usually tend to ignore. Why? "I decided to run for mayor because I thought I could bring a fresh prospective to the table. I also ran because I didn't think much could come out of a campaign where only one person runs. When you run unopposed no new ideas can be generated. I felt that I had to run to help bring about new ideas and new blood to politics in my city," says Michael.
Michael Session becomes an exception to all those who perceive the youth in USA as only being hooked to the likes of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears; shows like One Tree Hill; and gadgets like X Box and iPod. Michael is all that and more.
At 18, he has broken all the conventions. After the flop show of Rock the Vote campaign which saw a very low turnout amongst the youth in the US Presidential Elections 2004, Michael's story becomes an inspiration to youth all over. He in fact hopes that his story becomes something that shows the youth that they can have their own voice in the government. "I want to be a story of hope to show the youth that they can run for an office and win. You don't have to live for years. You just have to go out and respect people and show them that you care."
With no prior connection in politics whatsoever, Michael admits that his parents were initially skeptical. Michael says, "They really didn't know what I was getting myself into. But after they saw I was putting my heart into it, they were behind me 100 percent." So any funny incidents he recalls that went into his door to door campaign covering each house? "There was once a local media outlet taping me for the nightly news and they caught a person slamming the door on me." Mind you, that was the only time that happened.
So, the expected question now. What changes does he want to bring about in Hillsdale? He gives me his longest answer; "The most important issue is how can we bring jobs back to the people of Hillsdale. I want to work hard to give tax incentives and fight for grants to make Hillsdale better. Another issue is bringing the relations with the public services in the Hillsdale to the forefront. I was endorsed by the firefighters here in town because they believed the current city government wasn't doing enough to show compassion for them. I want to work to promote the relations with the fire department for example to the forefront." Now is it just me or do you also see a future Senator in there?
Besides talking politics, Michael can be seen playing video games, hanging out and chatting on the Internet to his friends. On the current government he comes out and says that, "When your government messes up on events that could change the United States, people are definitely going to speak up."
On the general attitude of the youth towards politicians and government he says, "Youth are very skeptical of government and politics here. Honestly, they do not understand how much of an influence the government and politics have over your every day life. Also, the youth here do not feel that they are given enough to get involved. In order for the youth to understand what is going on you have to allow them to get involved. Give them opportunities to gain experience and see how the political process works."
Hillsdale High school in itself was taken aback by all the media coverage. Rightly so, not everyday do you see a journalist from Japan turning up at your doorstep. Currently Michael is settling back in his Hillsdale High School regime. And worry not; things are pretty much the same otherwise.
Michael's future plans include to study Political Science in Hillsdale College. What next, a seat in the US Congress? "We'll have to wait and see. I'm taking it one step at a time." Yeah, yeah already a diplomat, I say. Currently Michael is enjoying the privilege of getting to make laws for the town and enjoy a vote on the City Council. Talk about going and living your life.
Factoid
1. Michael lost his High School’s Student Council election for a position of Vice President
2. Michael used $700 from a summer job to fund his door-to-door campaign.
3. Only 3 people from Michael's high school were actually eligible to vote for him
4. Sessions got 670 votes, compared to his rival 51 year old, Mayor Doug Ingles who got 668 votes. The town which has a population of about 9000, has only around 2000 eligible voters.
5. Being a Mayor he now get a $250 monthly stipend. However he doesn’t have an office of his own!
Someone’s choosy!
1. Democrat or Republican: I'm an independent
2. George Bush or Dick Cheney: Dick Cheney
3. Jon Stewart or Jay Leno: Jon Stewart
4. Beyonce or Ashlee Simpson: Ashlee Simpson
5. Lost or Desperate Housewives: Lost, I was on the same show as
Evangeline Lilly (who plays Kate). Man is she good looking.
Michael Sessions, a high school student from Hillsdale, Michigan did the unbelievable. He contested for the seat of a Mayor in his small town and to everyone's surprise - Won! Media from as far as Japan and Russia - covered this extraordinary victory. JAM did an email interview with the young achiever. Here is Michael’s amazing story.
His name was not even on the ballot paper but he won the election. How did that happen? Well, Michael Sessions contested as a 'write in ballot'. This procedure requires the voters to write down the name of the person whom they would like to vote for, even if the name does not appear in the official list.
You may wonder why Michael’s name was missing. This was simply because he was too young at the time that nomination papers were to be filed! But that didn't stop Michael from contesting. As soon as he turned 18, he grabbed the privilege that we usually tend to ignore. Why? "I decided to run for mayor because I thought I could bring a fresh prospective to the table. I also ran because I didn't think much could come out of a campaign where only one person runs. When you run unopposed no new ideas can be generated. I felt that I had to run to help bring about new ideas and new blood to politics in my city," says Michael.
Michael Session becomes an exception to all those who perceive the youth in USA as only being hooked to the likes of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears; shows like One Tree Hill; and gadgets like X Box and iPod. Michael is all that and more.
At 18, he has broken all the conventions. After the flop show of Rock the Vote campaign which saw a very low turnout amongst the youth in the US Presidential Elections 2004, Michael's story becomes an inspiration to youth all over. He in fact hopes that his story becomes something that shows the youth that they can have their own voice in the government. "I want to be a story of hope to show the youth that they can run for an office and win. You don't have to live for years. You just have to go out and respect people and show them that you care."
With no prior connection in politics whatsoever, Michael admits that his parents were initially skeptical. Michael says, "They really didn't know what I was getting myself into. But after they saw I was putting my heart into it, they were behind me 100 percent." So any funny incidents he recalls that went into his door to door campaign covering each house? "There was once a local media outlet taping me for the nightly news and they caught a person slamming the door on me." Mind you, that was the only time that happened.
So, the expected question now. What changes does he want to bring about in Hillsdale? He gives me his longest answer; "The most important issue is how can we bring jobs back to the people of Hillsdale. I want to work hard to give tax incentives and fight for grants to make Hillsdale better. Another issue is bringing the relations with the public services in the Hillsdale to the forefront. I was endorsed by the firefighters here in town because they believed the current city government wasn't doing enough to show compassion for them. I want to work to promote the relations with the fire department for example to the forefront." Now is it just me or do you also see a future Senator in there?
Besides talking politics, Michael can be seen playing video games, hanging out and chatting on the Internet to his friends. On the current government he comes out and says that, "When your government messes up on events that could change the United States, people are definitely going to speak up."
On the general attitude of the youth towards politicians and government he says, "Youth are very skeptical of government and politics here. Honestly, they do not understand how much of an influence the government and politics have over your every day life. Also, the youth here do not feel that they are given enough to get involved. In order for the youth to understand what is going on you have to allow them to get involved. Give them opportunities to gain experience and see how the political process works."
Hillsdale High school in itself was taken aback by all the media coverage. Rightly so, not everyday do you see a journalist from Japan turning up at your doorstep. Currently Michael is settling back in his Hillsdale High School regime. And worry not; things are pretty much the same otherwise.
Michael's future plans include to study Political Science in Hillsdale College. What next, a seat in the US Congress? "We'll have to wait and see. I'm taking it one step at a time." Yeah, yeah already a diplomat, I say. Currently Michael is enjoying the privilege of getting to make laws for the town and enjoy a vote on the City Council. Talk about going and living your life.
Factoid
1. Michael lost his High School’s Student Council election for a position of Vice President
2. Michael used $700 from a summer job to fund his door-to-door campaign.
3. Only 3 people from Michael's high school were actually eligible to vote for him
4. Sessions got 670 votes, compared to his rival 51 year old, Mayor Doug Ingles who got 668 votes. The town which has a population of about 9000, has only around 2000 eligible voters.
5. Being a Mayor he now get a $250 monthly stipend. However he doesn’t have an office of his own!
Someone’s choosy!
1. Democrat or Republican: I'm an independent
2. George Bush or Dick Cheney: Dick Cheney
3. Jon Stewart or Jay Leno: Jon Stewart
4. Beyonce or Ashlee Simpson: Ashlee Simpson
5. Lost or Desperate Housewives: Lost, I was on the same show as
Evangeline Lilly (who plays Kate). Man is she good looking.