Simon Says

Kalamazoo Central grad Simon Boehme, 18, to run for University of Michigan regent

KALAMAZOO — In a graduation speech before President Barack Obama earlier this month, Kalamazoo Central High School student Simon Boehme joked about running for president in 2048.

Now the 18-year-old has announced his first candidacy for elective office: He’s collecting signatures to get on the ballot for the University of Michigan Board or Regents.

If elected, Boehme said, he would be the first current student ever to serve on U-M’s eight-member governing board.

Wouldn't this be a conflict of interest?

The filing deadline has already passed for Boehme to run as a Republican or Democrat, so he must run as an independent — which is fine with him.

“I don’t want to be a Democratic or Republican” in this race, he said. “I’m totally focused on being the student voice.”

To get on the Nov. 2 ballot, Boehme needs to collect 30,000 signatures by July 15. He acknowledges that will be a challenge, but said he has assembled a group of about a dozen teenagers, including K-Central classmates and friends in Flint and Eaton County, to help out. He’s also created a website — www.simonboehme.com — to solicit signatures.

A dozen teenagers collecting 30000 signatures in two weeks? Yeah, that'll happen.

This blog knew something wasn't right with this kid.