Jake LaTurner comes from a long line of local politicians. The Galena, Kan., native's father was mayor of his hometown. His grandfather was a local judge. Now it's Jake's turn.

The 20-year-old Pittsburg State University sophomore is running for state senate, hoping to unseat the incumbent Democrat in the 13th District, Jim Barone.

LaTurner is a confident kid, well-spoken and seems a natural politician. He spends most of his days on the campaign trail, hitting up coffee shops and going door-to-door, explaining why someone so young can represent southeast Kansas in Topeka.

"Politics is a lot of older men and women who fight a lot," he says, explaining the mindset of many young voters. But he hopes to buck that trend, working with other legistators to keep southeast Kansas a good place to live.

This isn't his first foray into politics. He founded the PSU College Republicans, is vice chair of the Kansas Federation of College Republicans and even served as chair of the Cherokee County Republican party.

He says he didn't intend to run for office at such a young age, but felt compelled to enter the fray after decided that Barone's leadership was ineffective.

LaTurner has a number of talking points he hopes will resonate with people in his district:

• He wants to improve K-12 education as a way to keep young people in Kansas.
• He's pro-life.
• He wants to lower college tuition to keep it affordable for all.
• While he doesn't necessarily oppose the construction of coal fire plants in western Kansas, he believes in the need to invest in renewable energy, like wind power.
• Illegal immingration needs to be addressed in Kansas.

In the end, LaTurner says he wants to restore integrity to the seat and wants to be there for a long time, unlike some legislators that use poltics as "a retirement hobby."

LaTurner will known whether he will move on to face a Democratic opponent after the local primaries in August.