A young face may represent students on the Tempe City Council after the 2006 election.
ASU political science senior and former Undergraduate Student Government Vice President Kevin Bondelli is considering running for City Council.
"Student organizations and students are encouraging me to run," he said.
Although his decision is not final, Bondelli said he thinks having a recent ASU graduate on the council would help students' image in the city. Since Tempe does not have many problems, such as a high crime rate, students are being used as a campaign issue, he said.
He added that students do not vote in city elections because, no matter who is elected, student issues remain the same because no candidate has made a difference for students.
"They alienate students because it is politically efficient," Bondelli said. "I think it can get the voter turnout up if we have a candidate who cares about the students.
"I would run just to run," he continued. "People have come up to me and offered to work on the campaign."
Bondelli said he has been encouraged by a number of people including members of student government, the Young Democrats and people in his classes.
"It's kind of overwhelming," he said. "That is hard to say 'no' to."
When Bondelli first considered running, his supporters created a group on The Facebook Web site called "Bondelli For Tempe" to support his consideration to run. The first day the group was accessible, nearly 50 people joined.
Engineering and political science senior Andrew Harrison, who is a member of The Facebook group, said he would support Bondelli if he decides to run.
"He knows the issues," said Harrison. "If anyone is going to represent this part of Tempe, he's the man for the job."
The calendar for the election has not been released by the city. Usually, packets are available in the fall and petitions are due toward the beginning of the year, according to city clerk staff.
Bondelli was USG vice president in 2003-04 after serving as president of college council of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2003 and parliamentarian of the ASASU senate in 2003.
Bondelli also worked to stop the noise ordinance that was put in place by Tempe City Council in 2003.
Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu.
