Kid in the House

By Patricia Huston-Holm and Derrick Seaver

Kid in the House is an autobiographical account of how 17-year-old Derrick Seaver ran for a seat in the Ohio General Assembly and won. In his own words, the young man from Minster, Ohio, describes his dream, his sometimes rocky road to success and the roles played by the media, legislative colleagues, friends and family. When he took office at age 18, he was the youngest ever member of any state legislative body in the United States.

"So…where are the skeletons in your closet?"
—Talk Show Host Jay Leno, during an interview with Derrick Seaver in 2000

"A future Ohio Governor? Better than 50 percent chance."
—Tom Kerrigan, attorney, Shelby, Ohio

"He reminds me of a young Jack Kennedy."
—Elderly woman, listening to Derrick Seaver in January 2000

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 17, 2002
• ISBN: 9781469774510

Patricia Huston-Holm

A 1969 graduate of Lakewood High School in Licking County, Ohio, Patricia A. Huston-Holm received her bachelor and master’s degrees in journalism/communications from The Ohio State University in Columbus. In addition to a long-time career in the news business and public relations/publication management, Huston has written one other book titled "Shattered: True Story of an American Teenager." At the time of this publication, she worked at the Ohio Department of Education and resided in Canal Winchester, Ohio, with her husband, Mike, two large dogs and a cat.

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All Rights Reserved © 2002 by Patricia A. Huston-Holm

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ISBN: 0-595-25053-X (pbk)

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Printed in the United States of America

To Kim and Chuck

Quote—

And when, at some future date of the high court, history sits in judgement on each of us…First, were we truly men of courage…Second, were we truly men of judgement…Third, were we truly men of integrity…Finally, were we truly men of dedication?

—John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–1963)

Contents

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

EDITOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FOREWORD

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

AUTHOR, EDITOR BIOS

PREFACE  

You’re 13 and starry-eyed, watching an Oliver Stone movie about John F. Kennedy for the 10th time. You’re 14 and raising your hand in social studies class. At 15, your dream is to get elected to a government position someday. At 16, you’re leading a local young Democrats group. At 17, you’re running for a seat in your state’s legislature.

At 18, you win the election. And, as America begins a new century, you are the nation’s youngest-ever state legislator.

Such is the story of Derrick Seaver, who grew up smack-dab in the Midwest in the United States. In a time of political skepticism followed by resurgence of national pride, Representative Seaver provides a refreshingly honest inside look into who he is and how he achieved his goal at such a young age. He gives his perspective of the people, activities, issues, and events of his campaign and of his first year serving in the Ohio General Assembly.

Derrick Seaver is an example of how the closed hole in American politics can be torn open the old-fashioned way—without money, power, connections, prestige or even experience. His story includes the struggles to keep it open without compromise of ideals.

INTRODUCTION  

By Thomas W. Kerrigan II

It was late January 2000 and the 17-year-old’s speech was almost half over when I slipped into the back of the meeting room. I arrived cold and late, but curious to investigate for myself this high school senior political newcomer.

Wow, what a speaker, I caught myself thinking out loud. A very excited 60-something-year-old woman next to me exclaimed, He reminds me of a young Jack Kennedy.

As I exited, I realized I was talking to myself. I was saying very, very raw and countering with very, very knowledgeable. I told myself he was very young but maybe like a young Jack Kennedy. Electible? In this very Republican district, it wasn’t likely. No way, I thought, could a 17-year-old Democrat win here.

The next time I encountered Derrick Seaver, it was a Sunday morning in early February and, after 20 minutes with him, I was sold. The kid wouldn’t stop talking until I said I would help him in his campaign. I didn’t have the heart to tell him there was no way he would

win the 85th Ohio State Representative’s election.

As Derrick was leaving my office that Sunday morning in February, I realized that the 17-year-old high school senior and I had many things in common. We were both pro-life, strong pro-second amendment, pro-public school improvement, and it didn’t matter that most of our friends don’t wear shirts with collars. These things, said Derrick, the eternal optimist, make me electible. He was politically astute and, as time would tell, absolutely correct.

I recall Derrick giving me one mean, dirty look when, in March before the election, I tried to motivate him by saying, No way we’ll win, but let’s try anyway. Approximately 200 Derrick Seaver speeches later and after appearances on the CBS Early Show and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and after shaking hands with 20,000 constituents, Derrick Seaver won the hearts of the young, middle-aged and elderly. Derrick truly earned every one of those votes and was elected the youngest state representative in Ohio history.

I am proud to call Derrick my close friend and confidant. Derrick Seaver is the bright future of democracy. A future Ohio Governor? Better than a 50 percent chance. Next Ohio-born president of the United States? I certainly wouldn’t rule it out, and I wouldn’t bet against it.

* * * *

Thomas W. Kerrigan III has managed and competed in political campaigns. He is affiliated with Kerrigan, Boller, Stevenson and Goettemoeller Company, Attorneys at Law, Sidney, Ohio

EDITOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  

By Patricia Huston-Holm

When I met Derrick Seaver, my first book had been off the press for just four weeks. I told my husband I wanted to do more books, but that I would take a year off. The three years of a messy house, neglected family and limited social activities—pitfalls of a compulsive writing lifestyle—were over for a while. Or so I thought…

Then, in January of 2001, I shook the hand and saw the sparkle in the eyes of Ohio House Representative Derrick Seaver. He was not-yet-19. I was not-yet-50. My feeling was one that only nonfiction writers—those of us wanting to show history from a different perspective—have truly experienced. My husband, my soulmate and life partner, agreed that I should pursue my passion for this autobiographical as told to account of the young politician from Minster, Ohio.

For 12 months, Derrick permitted me to prod and probe his life. While he was under my microscope during his first year in office, he agreed to pave the way for my access to his family and friends as well. Like young Derrick, they were warm, open and honest. To Derrick Seaver—the 2001 kid in the Ohio House of Representatives, and, as far as my best research abilities can ascertain, the youngest legislator in United States history—I provide my first acknowledgement.

The second acknowledgement is equally shared by his mother, Kim, and his girlfriend, Leslie Bergman. Kim Seaver provided me the most delightful insights into the pre-legislator Derrick and allowed my home intrusions. Leslie Bergman helped slice through the political rhetoric, giving her candid opinions and details of what she saw and heard in her boyfriend’s world of politics.

The other family members, friends, teachers and work colleagues who assisted are too many to mention. I especially appreciate their understanding with delayed deadlines due to my cancer scare and subsequent surgery in late summer of 2001. The prayers of my new friends in Minster, as well as those from my own community, were answered with positive and healthy results.

A special appreciation goes to the S&W Motel in St. Marys, Ohio, where I found folks accommodating to an author and a writing dog (my Labrador Retriever named Cocoa). I hope this family-owned establishment can outlive America’s chains. I also appreciate the final editing done by long-time friend, Dr. Clay Cormany at the Ohio Department of Education, as well as the anonymous input from a former coworker and a news reporter friend.

My highest acknowledgement for any work on this earth continues to go to God, who provided me with whatever gifts I have. I hope readers of all ages are inspired and/or enlightened by Derrick Seaver’s young life story. It is told here in greater depth and comprehension and through a different lens than in the hundreds of news articles and interviews that brought a small-town teenager into the national limelight.

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  

By Derrick Seaver

Four months after my high school graduation, I was spinning into a

career that I once thought might happen a decade or more later. To say I was honored and excited to be elected to a seat in the 124th Ohio General Assembly is an understatement.

Likewise, I was honored and humbled that Patricia Huston-Holm approached me within weeks of my swearing in as a state legislator to ask if I might be