Student aims for seat on city council

By Krisse Mansfield

Twenty-year-old student Kia Michael Karbassi has joined the race to fill one of two open seats on the Fresno City Council.

Karbassi is running for a seat in District 2, which includes about 60,000 people.

“ I’m interested in honestly helping people, and finding solutions to existing problems,” Karbassi said.

Karbassi, endorsed by current City Council President Brad Castillo, said diminishing air quality, lack of funding for the Chaffee Zoo and fighting within the council are also major problems in the city.

“ We’re putting off dealing with the air quality situation, and it’s only going from bad to worse. We have five more years to comply with federal standards, we’re going to lose federal funding for public works,” Karbassi said. “I’m not interested in filing for more extensions, I want to find a solution.”

Political Science professor Yishaiya Abosch said Karbassi’s age is one of the biggest hurdles in his campaign.

“ His main problem is going to be convincing voters that he has the maturity to do it,” Abosch said. “However, that being said, he’s certainly not the youngest person to ever do it. He’s honest, and he wants to serve Fresno. He’s trying to break into politics, and this is the way to go.”

Although he admitted his age may work to his disadvantage, Karbassi remains optimistic.

“ There are men and women younger than 20 that are defending democracy halfway around the world,” said Karbassi. “Why can’t I do it in my own community? Hopefully people will look at me differently because I have honesty and integrity.”

Karbassi said he is funding his own campaign.

“ I don’t want to be accountable to a select number of people who contributed to my campaign. I have no other agenda because I’m funding myself.”

Karbassi said he would accept contributions from his family members to avoid any possible conflicts of interest. Regardless of the outcome of the election, Karbassi plans to remain a student.

“ If I have to go to school on Saturday nights, so be it,” he said. “My education will only make me a better leader.”