Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 14, 2002
Richard Langton and Dan Krassner want to redefine the term "politician." Wishing to "pass the torch of leadership," as Langton puts it, the two young candidates are striving to restore idealism to Tallahassee as they vie for nominations for Florida's State House, representing District 51 in Seminole.
Krassner, 22, a Republican nominee, and Langton, 27, a Democrat, both fondly recall early political memories.
"I held up a Bush/Quayle sign in class, during the 88 race. That's the first time that I expressed any sort of political views whatsoever," said Langton, who attributes his political interests to his uncle, who worked for Ted Kennedy during a bid for president.
Krassner's family is also politically involved. His grandfather, Lee Benjamin, was chairman of Pinellas County's school board.
"I gave my first political speech as a ten-year-old, introducing my grandad at an event, and continued to do that on the trail with him," Krassner said. "He's always been my hero; he's the one [whom] I'd like to emulate. He's definitely not a politician; he served in the schools as a public servant."
Often the word "politician" is a pejorative, evoking stodgy, stereotypical images of old, greedy business men. But Langton and Krassner are trying to shatter such fallacies.
Langton's advice: be pro-active; check out the political scene yourself.
"Young people are usually full of energy; they're looking to go out and score the touchdown right away, or hit the home run right away, and politics is almost the complete opposite. But I think that if they can see how it works and realize that it takes patience, that will kind of get rid of some of that cynicism that's out there," he said.
Krassner agrees, saying, "you can be in this nasty business and do it the right way," referring to his grandfather, and his own plans. Krassner also suggests that politically-minded teens become involved in student government or school politics.
Teens need not feel disenfranchised, either.
"You don't have to vote to effect a lot of change," said Langton. "There's nothing saying that someone under the age of 18 can't start a referendum to get something on the ballot. And there's nothing saying that they can't walk door to door."
"I think it's the perfect time to serve," Krassner said of his candidacy. "It's good to go do some public service and give back to your community right away; start building the community that you want to reside in for the rest of your life."
Running for office has been instructive, and both Krassner and Langton wish to share the experience with young people. Langton occasionally substitutes in public schools, while Krassner's mother is a school principal.
Despite such wisdom, the two are only in their twenties, after all. Yet both feel their age is an asset in the election.
"I'm probably the youngest candidate in the history of the Times to be endorsed," said Krassner, joking.
Langton is direct.
"It's our turn to step up to the plate and bat."