PEORIA ( 25News Now ) -Tazewell County’s youngest candidate for the primary election in March is a 17-year-old Pekin boy, fulfilling the wish of retiring elected officials wanting to pass the baton to a younger generation.

Republican Tazewell County Board candidate Ben Ackerman is the second cousin of current County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds John Ackerman.

He’s eligible to run because he will turn 18 by the November 2026 general election.

Ben would be the board’s youngest member, ahead of Republican Kaden Nelms, who is 26.

“It’s important for young people to get involved in their smaller level government because they are going to be the future,” said Ackerman.

Nelms ran for Tazewell County Board at 23 and is looking forward to having more young people run for office.

“I am hoping

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