(NETWORK INDIANA) At 26-years-old Chris Chyung, a Democrat state representative from Dyer, is the youngest member of the Indiana General Assembly.
He plans to file a bill when lawmakers convene for Organization Day at the statehouse next Tuesday. It would lower the minimum age requirement to run for a seat in the state legislature from 21 to 18 years old.
“Right now we can fight and die for our country at 18, we can fight to protect freedom,” Chyung said. “Why is that bar so much different than sitting around and making laws and being apart of the lawmaking process?”
The bill has bipartisan support. Republican political activist Megan Stoner has a message for in her party who might oppose lowering the age to run for state office.
“We still have to run and we still have to get elected,” she said. “Whatever that might be. Knocking on doors, hitting the pavement. I would just say to Republicans that this is not an automatic election for anyone.”
The state legislature convenes to start the 2020 session in January.