Zak Taylor wanted to make an impact on his community, to address apathy among younger voters and to be a good father to his 2-year-old daughter, Chloe.

So, he decided to run for Lansing City Council.

"I'm not going to just dangle my toes in there, I wanted to jump right in," the 25-year-old Lansing resident said.

Taylor dons a baseball cap as he talks on a recent evening over egg rolls at PF Chang's. The cap is the physical form of the metaphorical caps he wears - he's a student, father and regular guy.

Although he doesn't have any political experience, Taylor says he has something more key - a drive to work fueled by his daughter and by being a lifelong Lansing resident.

"I'm 25, but I feel fairly old for my age," said Taylor, who also has spent time in Amherst, Mass., Boulder, Colo., and San Diego.

Taylor began his campaign in May and is running against Harold Leeman, who ran unopposed last election and won by 55 votes the election before, he said.

He said his family and friends have been key supporters to his campaign.

"When he first decided he wanted to do it, I knew he didn't realize what he was getting into," said his mother, Rosemary Taylor of Lansing Township. "I've walked a precinct for him and by the time I was done with that, I just said I don't know how you do it. Just being around him is energizing."

Bev Marsh ran against Taylor in the primaries and said she respects the work he's done so far.

"He's already got the respect of the council," said Marsh, who owns Marsh Trucking and Excavation. "I've known Harold a long time, and I think it's time for change because he doesn't seem to be able to get the respect he needs at the council."

Taylor shrugged and said elections aren't even the most stressful thing going in his life.

"It's more challenging balancing school and having a daughter," he said.