Walking through the suburban neighborhood of Troy, 20-year-old MSU student Eric Gregory passed out fliers Saturday on the issues and goals he wants to address if he is elected into the Michigan House of Representatives.

As the Democratic candidate in the Aug. 8 primary elections for the 41st District, which includes Troy, the political theory and constitutional democracy senior wants to address issues involving education, business, jobs and fiscal policy.

"As someone who's in higher education and has always been concerned about education, it's my number one issue for my campaign," he said. "I'm fighting to make sure that there's city funding for education, but also that there's a lot of local controls for education."

As a 20-year-old, running for a position in the House is a difficult task — one that Gregory was at first concerned about.

"Coming in, I was concerned," he said. "Like what kind of credibility does a 20-year-old have with a lot of people? But I was really happy when I go door-to-door, that a lot of people are glad to hear that there's someone 20 who cares."

Gregory also said that much of his concern came from the lack of interest in politics that is portrayed by his peers.

"A lot of people have the perception that not many young people care about politics," he said. "I've got a lot of young people working in my campaign."

Also running for the 41st District seat in the House are Mike Bosnic and Marty Knollenberg, both on the Republican ticket.

Knollenberg, who has run in the past, said that Gregory's age won't determine if he is a good representative.

"If he is able to get his message out and convince the voters that he's the best candidate, then I think he's earned that right to represent the people of his district," he said. "It comes down to hard work and getting the message out, and I have to respect that."

Some experts said that age won't be a barrier during the campaign.

"I don't think being 20 years old is a barrier," said Ken Kollman, a professor of political science at the University of Michigan. "I think there are other things that are more important, like the person's partisanship or if he's running as an incumbent."

Kollman also said it'll be a big year for the congressional races and the governor's race, but he doesn't think the state legislator races will be that high-profile.

Other experts said experience will have a lot to do with winning the House seat.

"The biggest thing against (Gregory) is his experience on the campaign trail and in the House," said David Dulio, an assistant professor of political science at Oakland University.

Dulio said that in a time when national politics are based on corruption, Gregory might have a gain in the campaign race.

"What he might bring is a different perspective, a fresh perspective," Dulio said. "Someone that is 20 years old might have the appeal of not being corrupted yet."

Gregory said that Troy tends to be a Republican area, but he's gotten a lot of positive feedback while knocking on residents' doors.

"I've gotten support from people that are interested in the idea that a young person is running," he said.

Karissa Chabot, president of the MSU College Democrats and political theory and constitutional democracy senior, agreed that age shouldn't be a factor.

"Such fitness is to be judged by one's passion for what he does, by his experience and, ultimately, by the electorate," she said in an e-mail.

Chabot said having younger people in the House is beneficial for the public.

"I think that having a young voice in the Michigan House of Representatives would bring a fresh perspective to the floor and that such a person would be especially qualified to give voice to young adults all over the state," she said.