Being a Binghamton student, I can personally say how large of an accomplishment it is that Conrad Taylor, a 19 year old student at Binghamton, will be inaugurated into the city council come January. While studying political science, Conrad has been campaigning all around Binghamton to succeed in becoming a member of Binghamton's city council. I was given the opportunity to sit down with him and really get to know him. Here's what I had the pleasure of finding out:

Jillian Boccia: Well first of all, congratulations on your victory in being the newest and, probably, youngest member of the City Council. This is a huge accomplishment not only for you, but for the entire student body of Binghamton. First things first, where is home for you?

Conrad Taylor: Binghamton is home for me. This city is awesome, but I am originally from New York City. Morningside Heights, Manhattan.

JB: What do your parents do?

CT: My dad is a history teacher at Yeshiva University High School and my mom is a sales associate in a museum shop on the East Side.

JB: Have your political views been influenced based on where you grew up in Manhattan?

CT:Yes, I think so. It's hard to grow up in New York City and not be a democrat in a lot of ways. But I think the reason I became so involved in politics at a young age is because of my father. Not only is he a teacher in the classroom, but he's always a teacher to me. He always made sure I read the newspaper and things like that. It really happened back in 2008, when he took me canvasing and knocking on doors in rural Pennsylvania a couple of times for Obama. It was fun to convince people to vote for someone, who at that time, a lot of people, like myself, really believed in. Then, most importantly, on Election Day, when Obama won, my dad turned to me and said "we made this happen, this is because of us, we made a difference." As a 13 year old kid, that really influenced me for years to come. It was awesome! From then on, I have been really involved in campaigns, politics, and stuff like that. That sort of led to, when I came to Binghamton for college, the first thing I did was get involved on campus, doing service, stuff like that. One thing led to another and here I am.

JB: Why did you and your dad choose to canvas in rural Pennsylvania specifically?

CT: Since Pennsylvania is the closest swing state, that's where we went.

JB: 2008, that was your first introduction to politics? Have you ever held another political position anywhere? High school student council?

CT: I did student council in middle school. In high school, I was very involved politically but I was a theatre geek and Model UN type of stuff.

JB: Did you transfer to Binghamton?

CT: Sort of. It's complicated. So my high school was called Bard High School Early College. Basically the way that it is structured is that for the last two years of high school, you only take college courses from Bard College professors. So when I graduated, I not only received a high school diploma, but an associated degree from Bard College as well. So I entered Binghamton as a freshman but already with the credits of an associates degree. What that allows me to do is to take a lighter course load so that I can graduate on time and to really be able to get involved.

JB: Why Binghamton specifically since there is a large Republican presence?

CT: I really love being immersed in a community that is more openly conservative. I was tired of being surrounded by democrats. I just wanted someone to constantly to challenge my views. Not someone who was constantly going to agree with me and this is great. When I was campaigning, I would talk about something and sometimes I would speak with someone who told me I was wrong. It forced me to not only backup my argument, but really evolve my argument and opinions, which really helped running for office, and even before then. I love it, it's great.

JB: You're involved in the Women's Equality Party. Why?

CT: Basically, I ran on the Democratic line but you can also run on more party lines than that. So I also ran on the Working Families line, the Better Binghamton line, and the Women's Equality party line. To get on that you either have to have a specific part primary, like I did with the Working Families party or you can apply to the party leadership, which I did to get on the Women's Equality party. So basically, the Women's Equality Party is a party that stands by specific things about women's equality and furthering it in New York State. I applied for it and they decided that, not only was my application good, but it was better than my opponents so they endorsed me which allowed me to run on their party line. It wasn't so much helping with campaigning as much as it was being able to vote, not only on the Democratic line, or the other party lines I associated with, but the Women's Equality Party line as well.

JB: Do you have any personal investment with women's issues?

CT: I definitely do. Being a Democrat, I consider myself a feminist because I think that feminism means equity between men and women and I stand by that 100%. I think that women should be paid the same way men are. Anyone who thinks differently is stuck in the past.

JB: How does the Republican part of the council feel about women's rights and how has that been brought up?

CT: It is really not something that has been brought up. It hasn't been talked about. I'm not sure why that is. But I would say the #1 reason that is, is that local politics deals with these issues much less. Women's issues is dealt with at the state level more so. Here in the municipal level, it is less about broader issues, such as that, but more so about what we do with city budgets, what roads we should pave, what local laws we can pass. It could be addressed to a certain extent. I could be an advocate for it, as I plan on being, but in terms of what you could do in the city council position, it is not really in my area of what I could do.

JB: Is the council dominated by Republicans?

CT: This election cycle, all seven council seats were open. Four Republicans won and three Democrats won. So now there is a Republican majority and a Republican mayor. Us Democrats are definitely the minority. Party does matter during the election season, there is no doubt about it, but now with governing I really hope that party won't matter. I am going into this to serve the people in the 4th District, downtown, and the North Side and to advocate for them in the city government. I hope that just because there is a "D" next to my name that I won't be able to do that effectively. I think that with the Republicans on council and the mayor will understand that and hopefully support me in my endeavor to serve the people of Binghamton.

JB: Now why Binghamton? What made you want to come here?

CT: When I originally toured Binghamton, I loved the campus, I went to downtown and saw a lot of potential there. I went to Lost Dog. I had the quintessential Binghamton experience. I liked it. I heard good things about it and I already had a couple of friends here. I wanted to go to a SUNY school because it was cheaper. But besides that, there wasn't a huge calling. When I finally got here and got involved in the community is when I realized this place is awesome. There are so many things that can be done. Binghamton has potential to become a cultural hotspot. I want to be part of reaching that potential and most importantly, to engage more people in the political process. That's what we did with the campaign. We registered more than 1,500 students in all of Broome county, which is an unprecedented accomplishment. We engaged people in the Northside in a new way because they are a part of the city that feels they have been forgotten, which they have been. Having someone come to their door with so much passion and energy inspired them, which is one of the reasons we won.

JB: What part of Binghamton concerns you the most? What motivated you to get involved?

CT: Downtown Binghamton has so much potential, it really does. That's why I was part of organizing LUMA. I think people need to be involved of, not only, the legislating of our city but part of actively making out city a better place. I want to actively work to make our city a better place. Also, I guess that so many people get disenfranchised by the political process. I look around to my friends and students, and others from our generation and they don't give a crap about local politics. But the decisions they make over in city hall directly influence our daily lives as students. So I wanted to inspire more students to get involved in this community and I think that worked. Not only because we registered so many students or because we got so many students involved in my campaign, but because we won. We showed a student, a young person, could get involved as say "I think I can make a difference." I think I can convince people that I can make a difference. Just because you're a student shouldn't mean you don't have a voice.

JB: This may seem like the same question, but being 19 years old, what in your head made you decide to run for a position?

CT: I think I was lucky enough that I had so many people encourage me. When I originally brought up running. They knew me, they knew the odds were bad, but they knew that I would put everything I had into it so I didn't have people discouraging me at the beginning. In my past, I have had people, like my father, encourage me to be an active person. I think that it is ineresting because after the initial part of the campaign, everyone that I wasn't close with would be like "dude, this is not going to happen." Every decision I made, everyone would say they were unsure or think I was a try-hard. But you have to say no to the nay-sayers and you have to believe in yourself. If you think you can do something and that you can do it with the best intentions, get it done and you will do it.

I have always wanted to get involved and always told myself I would run for office one day. This opportunity arose and I had encouragement and was lucky enough to have been involved in local campaigns, so it just sort of happened.

JB: What kind of future do you hope for for Binghamton?

CT: I want it to become a better place, a more beautiful place, a safer place. I want other people, right now, to realize that this is all possible. I want people on the Northside to realize that it is possible. I want students to realize that it is possible. I want the perception to change because it is possible but the first step to making this possibility a reality is to restore the pride in Binghamton. Someone on the Northside steps out of their house, on Cary Street and they look left and look right and see a blighted property over there and see a vacant lot on the other side. They're supposed to be proud of this place? So I asked them all to look passed that and to look at the potential. We, in local government, are responsible to work to make those areas a better place dealing with the blighted properties and abandoned houses and sort of taking the term "public servant" a bit more seriously.

JB: You seem very connected with the Northside, is that because that is where you want to see the most change?

CT: Since I am going to be serving the 4th District, half of that is downtown Binghamton and the other half is the Northside.

JB: After you graduate, where do you want to be? Will you remain in Binghamton?

CT: Yup, I'm staying in Binghamton.I want to get more students to do the same. I want to serve as an example. I realize that for more students to stay here, we need to get them more involved in the community, but we also need to make our city a more beautiful place, a more appealing destination to live, which will definitely be a priority of mine for the next few years. Students staying here in Binghamton can be incredible for the economy.

JB: Career wise, where do you see yourself? What is your "ideal" career?

CT: I don't have an ideal career. I want to, in my life, make a difference. I want to leave my mark on the world and do that in a positive way. I don't have a career in mind necessarily. Right now, all I want to do is to make sure I do a good job on city council and that I serve the people in my district effectively and efficiently.

JB: Now, would you ever want to be part of the government in Washington D.C.? Do you want to be in politics? Is that something you want?

CT: Well, to a certain extent because I ran for city council. If you're asking if I have a set idea for my future, then no.

JB: Like every other college student!

CT: I think that people forget that. I am like every other college student. I may be ambitious and I might have a real true desire to make a difference and capitalize on that. But I don't know what the future holds. As long as I do good things.

JB: What do you think contributed most to your victory?

CT: I think that I have to thank all of the students that worked so hard on my campaign. We had dozens and dozens of people that worked multiple days a week, plus scarce volunteers that came in now and then that worked hours so many hours. They said "a student is running for city council, that wants to make a difference so let's help him out." So many people knocked on doors, called people, and handed out fliers and it's so incredible. I am so thankful to everyone and proud that we can have such an operation.

JB: Speaking as a student, I definitely think that everyone is impressed and very proud that one of our own is part of something so important.

CT: We'll see in a few years about it. But I hope that we, here at Binghamton University, will serve as an inspiration to people at other schools. Just because we are students doesn't mean you shouldn't get involved. If you have good intentions and good ideas, go for it. You're young, that's a good thing. You have energy. Your have passion. You're a fresh face

JB: Now, again, you're young. Does that make you nervous or intimidate you at all?

CT: Not really. I think that youth is an asset and I will use that to my advantage.

JB: That's really great. The people that you are on council with have more experience, know the area more, and are older. Does that concern you?

CT: They might have been here longer, but I wouldn't say they know the area more necessarily. I knocked on thousands of doors in my district and I know my district like the back of my hand. I know the people of my district. I know what they want me to fight for. So I really don't think that.

JB: It's really amazing that you feel that way and are not intimidated about this at all.

CT: Well of course I'm nervous about being on city council. I don't want to disappoint people, but I don't think that's because of my youth. I think that's because I'm a person.

JB: Has all of this campaigning and work interfered at all with your work or anything?

CT: No it hasn't. The only thing it has interfered with is my sleep schedule.

JB: Well being a college student, you don't really have a sleep schedule anyway. Is it hard to balance out your studies, work, and social life? What is a typical day in the life of Conrad Taylor both during the campaign and now after?

CT: During the campaign, I would get up really early in the morning, go to class until around 1pm, then grab lunch. Then I would probably have meetings or some press events until about 4pm on a weekday. Regardless of it being a weekday or weekend, between 4pm and 8pm I would knock on doors. Then after that I would get together with some of my staff to plan the next day. Plan what our strategies would be and stuff like that. I was definitely busy but I loved it and it was a great experience. I'm so excited that this is only the beginning.

Now I will be starting city council after my inauguration in January. But until then, it's a lot more of meeting people in City Hall, meeting fellow council people, a lot of interviews, like this one. I was actually on the radio yesterday, local TV stations. Just making sure that I'm ready to get to work on Day 1 because that is the most important thing. Actually, I'm already getting to work now. I was just fighting, the other day. Basically Broome County is looking to privatize the Broome County food service.The company delivers and cooks food for the public schools, senior housing, jails, and a bunch of local public institutions. They do a really great job. They are renowned to be one of the best food services in New York State, but the county executive, Debra Preston, wants to totally cut the food service and replace them with a company called Aramark. Although Aramark would save a little bit of money, it will cut dozens of jobs and it is a company that is known to have rotten food and maggots in their food, to be one of the most ethically ambiguous companies in the entirety of the United States. We want to bring that here to save a little money? I held a press conference the other day at one of the senior housing complexes with the AFLCIO and Citizens Action and county legislature, Mark Whalen, to basically come out against that. I spoke there saying how awful of an idea it was. They can't even serve food ethically to prisoners and they want to serve it to our children and it is something I do not support. Even though I'm not in office yet, I am already getting to work. I am already making it clear that I am going to advocate for people in my district. I don't want the children of the people of my district to eat that food or seniors to be eating that food.

JB: Now when you're sitting with the council are they impressed by you and how far you've come? I can't say there is any reason that they shouldn't be proud of a committed 19 year old successfully earning a seat on city council.

CT: Well I haven't sat with them yet, technically, because I am not on council yet. So I'll tell you then.

JB: How do your parents feel about you holding an office position?

CT: It's funny actually. Back when I told my parents I was going to do this, my dad was proud and my mom was like "Conrad, I think that you should focus on your studies." But now they are so proud and still probably a little bit stunned. I love them so much and the fact that they're glad makes me happy. My mom is also worried. She will probably always be worried. They're good. They know I will do a great job.

JB: Obviously, Binghamton isn't the safest area. Has your safety ever felt compromised?

CT: Personally, I am lucky enough to have had that never to happen to me here at Binghamton. I know that isn't the case for many people, especially for women walking around at night and I understand that. Especially on the Westside, which has one of the highest crime ratings in the entire state. So we definitely need to modernize our police procedure so that out police officer spend less times in their cars filling out paperwork and more times patrolling the streets.

JB: Are you ever a "normal" typical 19 year old college student? Do you ever get the opportunity to relax and "chill"?

CT: Believe it or not, I do. Sometimes I will come home and have mountains of work to do but that won't stop me from sitting down with my roommates and watch Netflix or grab dinner with friends. Obviously I am working hard, but I make sure that when I need to take a second, I will take a step back and hangout with my friends and make sure that my friends know that I will always be there for them.

JB: What is your current stance on the presidential election right now?

CT: It's insane. It's crazy. I have no idea who I'm voting for yet. It will be a Democrat most likely. I do like John Casey on the Republican side though. I think that Donald Trump is insane along with a lot of the Republicans. I think it is sad that a lot of the rhetoric coming from the Republican party is sort of fear mongering. The presidency should not be taken as a joke. You are leading our country and you are setting an example for everyone. For me, I just want to make sure that people don't get disenfranchised by politics and government. That's my main priority, here on city council and just as a person. There are people, maybe they're scarce, but there are people who want to get into government because they want to actually be public servants and I am one of those people. I am out knocking on doors having honest conversation with people who think that politics is a joke and that everyone is a joke so they are discouraged from voting. I just hope this election cycle in 2016 will be a little less negative. I was proud to have run a 100% positive campaign talking about the issues. I was always passionate and energetic listening to what people had to say. I plan on doing that in the future.

JB: While you were campaigning, what was your oddest experience you encountered knocking on doors?

CT: One time I had a glass bottle thrown at me. I actually don't know who threw it. I was at this woman's house and she just didn't want to speak to me so I walked away to the sidewalk. As I'm walking passed the house, on the second floor, I see this glass bottle come out of a dark window and graze my nose then just shatters in front of me. So that was fun. Most of the time, though, knocking on doors is so fantastic. I really enjoyed it a lot. Having honest conversation with people about the issues they care about.