It is a gorgeous day in Sacramento as I stroll through the crowd of revelers celebrating ice cream shop Gunther’s 70th anniversary. Mayor Kevin Johnson stops to say hello to me, and then I am stopped by a handsome, well-dressed young man in jeans and a button-down dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He's wearing trendy aviator sunglasses and is surrounded by a large group of young people in Marcel 2010 T-shirts. “Are you Erin," he asks. "I’m Marcel and I believe we have an interview.”

Marcel Weiland is not the typical politician -- he's young and never has been elected to a position. He's quick to remind me that he will turn 20 in November, but seems older. While many of his friends are playing video games, going to parties and studying for finals, he is vying for a seat in California’s State Senate.

He is endorsed by the California Republican Assembly for District 6, the seat currently held by Sen. Darell Steinberg. Weiland said the issues he's focusing on range from bringing business back to California to what may be today's most heated topic, immigration. He said voters clearly are dissatisfied with politics as usual, and he wants to heed that message and do something about it. He said his age should not distract voters but be seen as providing a "fresh perspective."

Weiland said he has no desire to become a career politician and will continue his education. He's studying now for finals at American River College and said he wants to receive a bachelor's degree in public policy. Asked why he was embarking on this journey, Weiland said he wants to make a difference and get California back on top of its game.