Teen to run for Raleigh mayor

A high school senior announced his intention Monday to run for mayor of Raleigh but his eagerness may be for naught. The state of North Carolina requires that holders of public elected office be at least 21 years old.

Posted 9:04 p.m. Jun 13, 2011 — Updated 9:23 p.m. Jun 13, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — A high school senior announced his intention Monday to run for mayor of Raleigh but his eagerness may be for naught. The state of North Carolina requires that holders of public elected office be at least 21 years old.

Seth Keel was among a group of six protesters arrested last August during a meeting of the Wake County Board of Education.

Keel, who identified himself as a junior at Middle Creek High School, chided the board for its move to change a long-standing policy which used socio-economic status as a factor in assigning students to schools across the county. He spoke for about a minute during the Aug. 10, 2010, meeting, then linked arms with five others and stood in silent protest until Raleigh police moved in to arrest them.

In a letter to the public sent to local media Monday, Keel wrote, "I have been blessed to be a part of the Wake County Public School System, which has provided me with a well-rounded education and prepared me for the world after high school. I have benefited from the rich diversity in our schools and in our city."

Keel's actions last year carry over into his mayoral campaign.

"The City of Raleigh has a responsibility to stand up for equitable and just education for ALL students," he wrote. "The mayor and City Council should be standing up to the school board and the state legislature, fighting for the rights of all students to be provided a quality education."

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