As three UI students contend for spots on the Iowa City City Council, they’re reflecting what some say is a statewide trend of younger involvement in politics.

This November’s election comes a year after Barack Obama was elected as the nation’s fifth youngest president and ushered in a new era for young politicians.

UI junior Dan Tallon is one of the three students running for the at-large City Council seat.

Tallon, who is also soldier in the Army National Guard, said he hopes to make college living more affordable, especially for students who come from impoverished families.

“Being a young person in [Iowa City] brings a lot of light to issues,” said Tallon, who joined the Army National Guard because he believed he could serve the public best in the Army.

And though Tallon’s focus is on the City Council election, he said, his ultimate goal is to run for president.

Both UI Democrats President Meredith Place and UI College Republicans Chairman Derek Bohlke said they have seen a rise in younger people participating in politics on campus.

“Everyone is saying now that young people have a voice, it’s your turn, there is no one stopping you,” Place said.

Bohlke said he’s seen politicians’ age in both state and local governments go down in recent years. Even members of the Iowa Legislature seem to be younger now, he said.

Jeff Shipley, a 21-year-old UI senior, is also vying for the at-large seat in Iowa City’s City Council elections in November. He said public service is a fun thing to do, a great way to meet people and one of the best ways to learn new information.

“Everyone needs to be a leader and be who they want to be,” Shipley said, and he hopes his voice can reach other young people striving for a public service career.

Shipley, who wants to work in politics long-term, said he doesn’t want to work in Washington, D.C., because he loves Iowa too much to venture off into the chaos of the capital.

Jared Bazzell, the third UI student and City Council hopeful, told The Daily Iowan on Aug. 28 he was motivated to run because he was disappointed in how the council represented UI students.

Bob Anderson, the chairman of the Johnson County Republican Party, has been involved in politics since he was a college Republican. The 62-year-old said the energy, commitment, and willingness of young politicians to adapt to the process is extraordinarily high.

“You need to apply yourself to the issues of today,” Anderson said.

Coralville City Councilor Mitch Gross has been involved with public service for more than a decade. When he was 21, he began a six-year stint in politics behind the scenes.

In November 2007, the then-30-year-old Gross was elected to the Coralville City Council.

Gross said age plays a minimal role in politics. He said young people can bring new energy, ideas and a different perspective, something he called a plus.

“Young people have unique experience and perspective which is quite valuable,” said Gross, who also teaches government at West High. “I hope nobody would let age be a factor.”

As a father of three young children, Gross said he brings a young father’s perspective to the table. That’s a trait not everyone on the Coralville City Council can relate with.

“My No. 1 job is being a dad,” Gross said, and his children will always come before his public service duties.

Rep. Nate Willems, D-Lisbon, is another example of a younger generation taking part in public service.

He said people will find out a lot about themselves in public service.

“It’s experience that is simply priceless,” Willems said.