East Carolina University senior runs for state office

East Carolina University senior Uriah Ward is running for the state House of Representatives seat in his district, a democrat taking on the race in a historically red corner of the map.

The political science major said he is running in District 9, which encompasses all of ECU, because Greenville is where his roots are.

“I was born here, and I have been invested in local affairs since I was in high school,” Ward said. “I have had encouragement from a lot of friends, family, professors and local leaders — people who thought they really needed a good candidate in this race.”

Ward does not face a primary challenger. His opponents — incumbent Rep. Brian Brown and ECU graduate Ashley Bleau — will face off in the May 6 primary.

Ward’s ambition surpasses that of many college seniors, but as a student, education remains the top priority on his platform.

“This is an incredibly education-centered community, and the one legislator that we have living in this community is not fighting for education as much as is needed,” he said.

But despite his strong community roots, support and passion for education advocacy, Ward’s age makes it difficult to break out of the classroom.

Democratic Party consultant Gary Pearce said money can be one of the biggest problems a younger candidate can face.

“It just costs a lot of money to run for legislative office or anything today,” Pearce said.

Neil Weinberg, a doctoral candidate in political science at UNC, said a young political candidate does not have the same level of income as someone who has been in the workforce for many years.

“Good fundraising goes a long way and that’s about getting your message out to important political actors in your community and working hard to win their support,” he said.

Ward said his age could make him seem inexperienced but that his active role in the community and time spent living in the district could offset that disadvantage.

Pearce said more and more voters are supporting younger candidates.

“Being young is an advantage because voters are so disgusted with the state of politics today,” Pearce said. “Somebody my age looks at the current state of politics and says, ‘That’s part of the problem — we need a fresh face.’ There is an openness to young people in politics.”

In the fall, Montravias King, a senior at Elizabeth City State University, ran for city council. His candidacy was initially blocked by the county board of elections, which argued that his dorm address was not a permanent address. But the State Board of Elections overturned that decision.

King went on to win the election, becoming the council’s first student politician.

Ward ultimately does not see his age as a hindrance.

“The reaction has been positive,” Ward said. “Good ideas don’t have an age requirement, and the voters will see that.”

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