Maeve McCulloch is one of the youngest politicians in the country.
She was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Ridgeway Town Council when she was 18, and in November, was elected to her first four-year term as a write-in candidate.
Now 19, McCulloch said she decided to seek the position because she’s been involved with the town during her entire high school career.
“I was on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee since my freshman year of high school,” she said. “I learned a lot about the town and about local government through that committee led by Craig O’Der.”
McCulloch said O’Der later asked if she wanted to fill the vacant seat, “and I said absolutely.”
While she is new to the political arena, McCulloch also has other experience with the council. Her mother previously served on it for several years.
“I went to meetings with her, so I kind of already knew how they ran and what they were like,” she said.
However, she notes being an official council member is different than just attending the meetings.
“It’s different, but I never feel out of place at all really. I work with really wonderful people in the town,” she said.
Since joining the council, McCulloch said she has learned a lot about how government operates.
“It’s been a wonderful learning opportunity, and everyone in the town is so patient with me learning everything as I’m going,” she said. “It’s wonderful because there’s so much more to our little, tiny town than I thought there was, and it’s incredible that I get to be a part of it.”
For example, McCulloch did not know what a motor vehicle license was before she started. “That’s kind of showing my age there with that one,” she added, chuckling.
McCulloch also wasn’t really aware of the different taxes the town collects.
“I knew things existed, but I didn’t know exactly what the town could do with those things,” she said.
During her tenure on the council, McCulloch said she hopes to get the town more involved in social media and boost community engagement.
“I want to have more community events like events in the park and whatnot, to bring out our wonderful community and get people together and involved,” she said.
She also is optimistic that her tenure on the council is only the beginning of her budding political career.
“I’m very excited and very grateful for this wonderful opportunity,” she said.
McCulloch is a 2022 graduate of Magna Vista High School. She currently attends Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) where she is a Presidential Scholar. She is also a participant in Dr. Greg Hodges’ fellowship this semester. She hopes to obtain her degree in General Studies by the end of next year.
Currently, McCulloch works at Marshall’s in Martinsville. She lives in Ridgeway with her mother, father, and younger brother. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting and spending time with her friends and cat.
