The midterm elections are just days away and that has candidates out making their final appeal to voters.
In North County, one mayor’s race is getting a lot of attention because of one candidate’s age and what inspired her to run.
“It’s the most amazing thing I could’ve ever done in my entire life,” Emily Johnson said.
She is just 20 years old and running for mayor of the city of Poway. She met the current mayor, Steve Vaus, when he spoke to her civics class at Poway High School.
“I wanted more representation, more transparency and more protection of these people who are at risk or just not doing that well,” Johnson said. “He had told me that it wasn’t the city’s job and if I wanted to see that changed that I should run for council myself.”
She decided to take him up on the offer and Vaus couldn’t be happier at the prospect.
“I speak to civics classes a lot and you always wonder, ‘Is anyone getting it? Is there going to be a take home from this?'” he said. "So, the fact that I inspired somebody to get involved, I think that’s terrific.”
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Vaus has been the mayor for four years and, before that, served on the city council.
“Poway is the safest city in the county,” he said. “We’re ranked No. 1 to raise a family. We’ve got more parks and open space than any other city as a percentage of our land mass. Our roads are in great shape, infrastructure’s in great shape and we take good care of our budget.”
Also, on the ballot is Yuri Bohlen. He wants to be mayor so can stop the Carriage Center West Shopping Center from being redeveloped.
“I’ve been going here for the last 32 years,” he said. “I found out that they’re going to tear it down and build apartments and mix use businesses and destroy the community thrift shops that have been here for decades.”
Brian Edmonston is also running for mayor of Poway. He did not respond to NBC 7’s request for an interview.
Whatever happens Tuesday, Vaus said he wanted to help Johnson get more involved in politics.
