Video: Well-Connected Teen's City Council Campaign

Memo to Rosie Mendez: Why even bother running for reelection when you've got such a cherubic challenger gunning for your City Council seat? It's all over but the crying for Manhattan's District 2; 18-year-old preppy Dodge Landesman's victory in November is all but assured—why just look at those adorable cheeks! His father happens to be Obama's NEA nominee Rocco Landesman, who draws a lot of water in this town as president of Jujamcyn Theatres, and a recent fundraiser for the teen's campaign was recently attended by Julianne Moore.

At this point, the only thing that could stop the Landesman steamroller is if his grades slip; the York Prep junior recently revealed to the New Yorker that he's terrible at math, and his mother is threatening to pull the plug on his campaign if he doesn't keep his GPA at a certain level! Which would be devastating, because Dodge even skipped the prom this year to attend crucial campaign meetings. (NOT because he didn't have a date.)

If when elected, Landesman will be 19 and the youngest City Councilmember in New York's history. On his Facebook page he describes himself as "an anti-bailout and pro-growth Democrat," and recently promised that he'll work to put the Second Avenue subway line on hold. The New Yorker's "Talk" piece on Landesman is available on line for subscribers only; but in it he recalls how he got his start in public speaking—opening for Public Enemy on VH1 reality show Ice-T's Rap School in eighth grade: "There were all these angry, drunk, stoned people there, and I remember thinking to myself before I went onstage, If I can handle this, I can handle anything. I had to freestyle." At this point, Mendez's only hope may be to find that video clip and send it to the media.

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By John Del Signore in News on May 18, 2009 6:18 PM

Comments [rss]

Tower18

If I lived in his district, I would vote against him without hesitation, simply because he wants to put the Second Avenue Subway on hold. How short-sighted can you be?

By the way, District 2 covers the Lower East Site, not Upper.

MyrtleWilloughby

Cute kid. I'd contribute $5 to his campaign to get that suit taken in.

Bubbeleh, you've got such a great figure, why don't you show it off?

valeriob

Gothamist: Please post fundraiser info as it becomes available!

Thanks!

obvs

OH MY GOD, I WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL WITH HIM! I WAS IN HIS DORM! (the masters school in dobbs ferry) he always wore suits, and was a huge fan of steak. he was also elected as the dorm captain because everyone thought it would be funny, and oddly enough his platform was free steaks. all around nice guy though.. but i was still shocked to see this in the most serious way.

Jen S

You heard it here first: dorky teenager really likes steak.

hanbush

wants to stop the 2nd ave subway AND from york prep? that and his manner of speaking make him seem like an all around d-bag

Liam

I'm wondered the same thing as Mendez : How would he juggle Senior year and being an active city council member? He either fails out of high school or underserves his constituents.

endoubleu

He's pro-growth but wants to put a much-needed transit project on hold? He doesn't sound all that bright to me.

Dead Himmler

Yeah right he had a date to the prom. There is no way this kid gets any play.

Theodore Wirth

If the voters put him if office, they deserve it. There's few, if any 19-year olds who know anything about world history and human relations. Expertise in leadership and human relations is learned through face-to-face experience over time and cannot be learned via a plagiarized crash course on the Internet.

I'm sure he's great at texting and tweeting though. Maybe even knows how to throw a video on YouTube. He definitely has connections and the money for a haircut and a nice suit.

This my friends, does not an effective politician make.

longacre

Expertise in leadership and human relations is learned through face-to-face experience over time and cannot be learned via a plagiarized crash course on the Internet.

You say that as if other members of the City Council possess those attributes. Most of them can barely tie their shoes.

CR

This kid's great, but his coolness factor needs a little boosting. Gothamist, can you guys see what you can do to get him laid? Let's see if that helps.