UMd. Student is 1 of 3 College Students to Win School Board Races

A student is one of three college students who won a primary race last week for the Prince George's County School Board.

But at 18 years old, Raaheela Ahmed, a freshman biology and business major, is the youngest of them, The Diamondback reported. She raked in 34.3 percent of the votes for District 5, almost 1,000 votes ahead of incumbent and board chair Jeana Jacobs.

Both will appear on the ballot for November's General Election. Two University of Maryland Baltimore County students will also be on the ballot: District 1's David Murray and District 8's Edward Burroughs III The Diamondback reported.

Burroughs, 19, is an incumbent campaining for a second term. Despite his youth, he impressed many during the 2010 campaign.

“To the surprise of many... he knew the issues,” State Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26) told The Gazette in February.

Jacobs herself is a University of Maryland alum, holding a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences from UMd., according to her biography page. She also teaches at University of Maryland, University College.

Jacobs told The Gazette that she is encouraged to see young people enthusiastic about running for office, but they might lack the experience necessary to oversee a $1.6 billion budget.

But Ahmed said she hopes to show candidates before November that despite her age, she has the necessary experience to represent on the school board, The Gazette reported.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect both of Ahmed's majors.