A 19-year-old student at Spelman College is making history by throwing her hat into the arena of Georgia politics, joining Myya D. Jones as another young person diving head first into local politics. 

Despite her opposition doing all they could to discredit her candidacy for Stonecrest City Council in DeKalb County, Mary Pat Hector’s right to run was upheld by city council.

The controversy came when George Turner, who’s also running for the position, questioned whether Hector’s candidacy broke a Georgia law that stated candidates must be at least 21 years old to run outside of exceptions determined by the city council.

“If we ignore this law, what will we ignore next?” Turner asked the board, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The board later ruled in Hector’s favor, stating that anyone of “voting age” could run for public office and Turner backed down from his position.

After the announcement, Hector released the following statement:

I am honored and thrilled with the decision recognizing my right to run for Stonecrest City Council in DeKalb County, Georgia. Justice was served, and the law prevailed. The board’s decision is a testament to the inclusion of the next generation’s participation in the democratic process. As the youngest woman to be eligible to run for elected office in the history of the State of Georgia, I thank the DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections and those who stand with me and support my candidacy and those who taught me and mentored me throughout my life. I look forward to continuing my campaign and serving as the first council member for the fourth district of the city of Stonecrest.