20-Year-Old Decides To Run For Mayor In Rockville Centre

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A surprise candidate is throwing his hat into the ring against some heavyweights in the Rockville Centre mayoral race.

Though Michael Leboff, a junior at Sacred Heart University, admittedly lacks political experience, the 20-year-old believes he has what it takes to lead his hometown.

"I have no political ties, I have no political agenda, so I think that should be pretty appetizing for voters," Leboff told 1010 WINS. "It's my opinion, and I know a lot of people feel the same way, that politicians make pretty terrible politicians so why not just have an ordinary, regular villager take over."

Leboff told Newsday that he's collected most of the 100 signatures needed to get on the June 21 ballot.

His opponents include one-term incumbent Mayor Mary Bossart and business owner Francis X. Murray. Murray's father was the village mayor from 1987 to 2007.

The mayor told the newspaper she's never met Leboff and declined to comment on his candidacy. Murray said, "It's America. It's a wonderful thing.''

Leboff says he has experience working at his church, writing entertainment news for a Connecticut web site and being a stand-up comedian.

Leboff promises to lead a 100 percent transparent campaign. "There will be no secrets, there will be no backdoor politicking, and there will be no lying," his campaign promises.

He says the biggest problem facing the village is parking and plans to engage citizens in the political process by opening the Town Hall to the public.

Leboff also told the Long Island Herald that balancing the budget is at the top of his priority list and stated that village employees will not see cuts.

Leboff has taken his campaign to social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to gain support.

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