Meet The 19-Year-Old Woman Who Is The Youngest Female To Run For Office In Georgia

Mary Pat Hector is a 19-year-old sophomore at Spelman College, and is now the youngest candidate for a city council seat in Georgia. According to her website, Hector has been committed to bettering communities since the age of eleven. 

“I’ve always wanted to be in politics, I just didn’t know it was going to come so soon,” Hector said. She decided to launch her campaign for city council in the newly incorporated city of Stonecrest, GA in DeKalb County, which is in close proximity to her hometown of Lithonia, GA.

Her path to running for office has been an active one. She currently serves as the National Youth Director for National Action Network (NAN) in Atlanta, which was founded by Civil Rights Leader, Al Sharpton. Hector has also been a Youth Leader for Millennials for Hillary Victory Council and she founded the Just Think Twice Campaign at only 15 years of age! The campaign takes statistics and images about gun violence to help convince young people to steer away from gun violence. With doing so much at a young age, it was only a natural progression that she run for office.

In January, one of her opponents in the race, George Turner Jr, wrote a letter to the Voter Registration and Elections director challenging her eligibility. According to Undefeated, Turner wrote, “My research revealed that in order to hold office of commissioner or city council, one must be 21 years of age, unless the charter specifically makes an exception. There is no such exception mentioned in the charter for the city of Stonecrest. Therefore, any candidate who has not attained age of 21 is not qualified to serve on City Council in the city of Stonecrest.”    

Hector garnered support from a few public officials; Atlanta Councilman Kwanza Hall and Clarkston Mayor Edward Terry.  A hearing was held and an exception was made so she could run at 19 years old.  As of January 13, 2017, there were 5 candidates that qualified to run in District 4.

After the ruling, Hector gave a statement to AJC.com. “Justice was served, and the law prevailed. The board’s decision is a testament to the inclusion of the next generation’s participation in the democratic process. I look forward to continuing my campaign and serving as the first council member for the fourth district of the city of Stonecrest.”

With elections nearing, Hector is taking to twitter to promote herself and ask for volunteers. 

Hector’s platform includes:

· Promoting safe neighborhoods and working to decrease forms of violence impacting citizens. 

·  Advocating for improvements in community centres, sporting facilities, parks and recreation areas and provide better services for underrepresented groups.

· To welcome growth and diversity trough policies and programs that will protect, preserve and enhance existing neighborhoods for future generations and

· Support economic development while promoting emerging technologies that would create new job opportunities and cultivate local businesses and entrepreneurs

Sounds like a solid platform for anyone of any age. The City Council elections will take place on March 21.