Larry West Continues This Mayoral Thingy

Larry West continues his art-school prank/mayoral candidacy tomorrow with a rally at his own house! West, as you may know, is only 22, making him ineligible to run for mayor. However, he’s working to change that with a petition allowing 18-year-olds to run for mayor. (Apparently, in Pennsylvania anyone over the age of 18 can run for elected office. Frankly, I agree. I like to see kids run for elected office and then lose in a landslide.)

The rally at Larry’s house — it’s private, sorry folks — will include punch, pie and music as well as feature a special concert from Larry, featuring Megadeth’s “Peace Sells.” West says he’ll speak at the rally and explain what happened when he tried to ask for the mayoral nomination at the Green Party meeting earlier this week.

I don’t know if West has a shot at the mayoral nomination, though I do hope this leads to the other candidates doing concerts of their own. Michael Nutter can DJ as Mix Master Mike and Al Taubenberger can dance and sing (what else) “The Pennsylvania Polka.”

Full release after the jump.

Larry West Pushes on with Campaign to be Youngest Mayor

Larry West to hold press conference June 2nd at 12 PM to announce his intention to seek the Green Party nomination; West will also move forward with petition to allow 18 year olds to run for mayor

Philadelphia, PA - On Saturday, June 2nd, at 12 PM, Larry West will announce his intention to seek the Green Party nomination for mayor. The press conference will be held at his Mt. Airy residence, [redacted]. West’s announcement will be followed by a brief concert and barbecue.

West, who announced his intention to run for mayor on March 1 at the Million Man March, is 22 years old and legally prohibited from running for that office. Although Pennsylvania law allows anyone of voting age to run for any statewide office, Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter specifies that mayoral candidates must be at least 25 years of age. West has been campaigning to change the charter and allow young people to run since the beginning of his campaign.

QUOTE - “If I am old enough to be shipped off to Iraq to fight and die for my country, I should be old enough to run for mayor. If people don’t want to vote for me because they think I don’t have enough experience, that’s their choice; but I should have the right to run like anybody else,” said West.

West, who recently changed his registration to Green, is hopeful that his new party will give him the nod. The Green Party has not yet selected a mayoral candidate although they are running candidates for City Council at Large, City Commissioner, and City Council’s 8th District.

Although it may seem a long shot, West reminds us that in 2005, 18-year old Michael Sessions became mayor of Hillsdale, MI, beating a 51-year old incumbent. Closer to home, Pennsylvania has had two very young mayors in recent years, Chris Portman, 19, of Mercer, and Jeffrey Dunkel, 18, of Mount Carbon.

Larry West declared he was running for mayor March 1st at the Milton Man March rally, stealing the spotlight from then-candidate Milton Street. Larry West has since appeared on the cover of the Philadelphia Metro, on Fox Philadelphia’s Good Day Philadelphia, and can be seen around Philadelphia at anti-war protests, anti-Bush protests, and skateboarding around City Hall.

Local media are encouraged to attend, take photos, and ask questions. Media can arrive as early as 11:30 AM for punch, pie, and music. Guests will be treated to a barbecue and a concert featuring West himself who will play three song’s including Megadeth’s “Peace Sells.”