Dylan Kaminske woke up one day six months ago and decided that there was no use in waiting to begin his political career, so he’s running for mayor of Salt Lake City next year.
Kaminske, 22, a junior in political science and mass communication, said he believes the problems facing Salt Lake City can be handled more efficiently. He said, however, that he thinks Ralph Becker, whom he interned for last summer, has been a great mayor.
“I want to impact the people as less I can but give them more,” Kaminske said.
Topping his list of priorities would be funding for education, which he said he would raise funds for by creating a 1 cent sales tax to be used for education only.
He also said he supports the expansion of TRAX lines because the population of downtown Salt Lake City during the day is double what it is at night because of commuters.
Kaminske serves on the Greater Avenues Community Council as secretary and held campaign events for President Barack Obama last year, but he has never run for student-elected office. But what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in enthusiasm, his friends say.
“He has a lot of focus on getting people more involved in the community,” said Adam Barkley, a senior in international studies.
Youth and limited experience are, however, relatively minor obstacles compared to the hefty fundraising typically necessary to win any elected office and especially vital for a high-profile position such as mayor.
“Currently, I have no major supplier of financial funds,” Kaminske said.
He said he intends to approach small businesses, which he believes would benefit from his policies if elected, and ask for contributions in the coming months.
“I’m a bit skeptical, just because it is the sad thing about politics that it is so much about money,” Barkley said of Kaminske’s ability to raise funds. But he also said Kaminske might be able to reach people who are disenfranchised and are looking for better representation.
Fundraising obstacles aside, Kaminske said his campaign isn’t merely a vehicle to raise awareness of specific issues, but a genuine bid to win the office.
“I want try to get the people’s voice in as much as possible,” he said.
He said he admires Becker’s efforts toward greater transparency in government and would continue those policies if elected.
Cavet Nelson, who has done some early work with Kaminske on his platform and said he hopes to study political science and economics at the U next year, said Kaminske is motivated above all by his love of politics.
“He’s just getting himself out there and maybe turning some heads,” Nelson said. “Is it just to raise certain issues? I don’t know, I don’t think so.”
Before he can do anything else, Kaminske must first collect 45 signatures from each of Salt Lake City’s nine districts in order to be eligible to run. He began work Monday and had collected nine signatures as of that afternoon, he said.