Joshua Hoggan, a Utah teenager previously convicted of a school bomb plot, will be running for mayor of Roy, Utah, USA TODAY reported.
Hoggan, 18, wrote an email to The Associated Press claiming he never planned on blowing up or harming Roy High School, although he recognizes what he did was wrong. In 2012, Hoggan served six months in a juvenile detention center after pleading guilty to possession of a weapon of mass destruction. His guilty plea led prosecutors to try him as a juvenile instead of an adult, sealing his juvenile record.
One year later, Hoggan is running for mayor. By entering the race, he created a primary election between current Mayor Joe Ritchie, current Councilman Willard Cragun, and himself.
According to City Manager Chris Davis, each candidate has been approved to run by Utah's Lieutenant Governor. Permission by the lieutenant governor required a screening in addition to having their identity and signature notarized.
Davis said that he's not surprised about Hoggan's admission in the mayoral race.
"We have all sorts of people run for different reasons," he said.
Davis also mentioned that his age was not a shock either.
"We have had young people run for city council," he said.
Although Ritchie refused to address Hoggan's history as a candidate, he recalled the serious concern it caused in Roy. He also acknowledged that since Hoggan meets all of the requirements for mayor, he has every right to run in the race.
However, because Hoggan's inclusion in the race created a primary election, costing residents money, Ritchie said his juvenile history may resurface. Hoggan said in an email that he's running for mayor because he believes a younger person will be a more efficient leader, bringing fresh ideas to the community. He also said he is aware of his past affecting his chances of winning.
"I feel that my past with the Roy High School incident can definitely play a role in whether I could gain enough votes to secure the mayoral role," he wrote.
Despite his troubling past, Hoggan hopes his attempt at running for mayor can show others that he's willing to make up for his mistakes and take responsibility.
"I've made more than my fair share of mistakes, and I feel that being trusted with the mayorship would be the ultimate way for me to fully give back to my community," he said.
