About nine years ago, during an open house for a freshly inaugurated campaign office in Parkville, former District 8 Del. Christian Miele recalls being approached by a 12-year-old boy and his dad. After a glance at a district map posted on the wall, the 12-year-old questioned Miele on redistricting reform.

“I don’t know many 12-year-olds interested in gerrymandering and redistricting reform, but that happened to be one of my primary issues as an elected official, so I was impressed,” Miele said.

That 12-year-old was Jake Taylor, who now is an elected official himself. Taylor, now 21, was elected last November at the age of 20 to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners, making him the youngest elected official in Harford County history, according to the town.

Taylor is a Bel Air native who grew up walking Main Street and enjoying family birthday dinners at One Eleven Main. During his middle and high school years at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Taylor spent much of his free time studying presidents, conflicts, types of governments and philosophies, and the writings of the Founding Fathers.

“And that is what [convinced] me. I knew that my life had to be one of public service and service to this country,” Taylor said. “I have known that for years.”

At the dinner table, Taylor’s family never spoke of politics. On evenings not dominated by responsibilities or sports obligations, the family would watch movies or television, but never news programs.

Even so, Taylor described family members as his biggest supporters and key contributors to his political journey.

“His passion for politics is one he picked up on his own, that he was born with, and it was exciting since I know what kind of person Jake is,” said his father, Nick Miskelly. “I always knew he could change the world for the better.”

After Taylor informed his father that he wanted to be a politician at the age of 12, his father connected with a friend on Facebook who knew Miele. His father went on to volunteer for Miele’s campaign — bringing Jake with him to every envelope-stuffing, door-knocking and canvassing event.

“For Christian, he puts the people before the position so I got involved so that Jake could see what it was all about and spend time with someone I believed is a really good mentor for him,” Miskelly said.

Miskelly noted that even though he never had an interest in politics, he is passionate about his kids, so supporting Taylor and spending time with him in something that interests him was a fulfilling experience.

Taylor continued to work with Miele — eventually becoming the campaign manager for Miele’s District 34 state Senate campaign in 2022.

“He was fantastic and hard working as a campaign manager,” Miele said. “He was every bit as committed to winning as I was.”

A student of politics

Throughout his journey with Miele’s campaign, Taylor continued to study politics — staying up late on election night to observe voting trends across the country and reading the writings of James Madison, Abraham Lincoln and others.

But Taylor, unlike many teens, took a keen interest in local politics — specifically Bel Air politics.

“Certainly, what happens in Washington is very important, but Washington is really only supposed to deal with a handful of things and everything else is getting decided at the local level,” Taylor said. “This is the level of government where the decisions most impact your daily life. Why wouldn’t we want to pay attention to that?”

As he observed Bel Air politics, Taylor grew critical of how former town commissioners chose to handle a petition for referendum. His dissatisfaction, coupled with encouragement from Miele, led to him launch a campaign for the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners at the age of 19.

“I felt I had the opportunity to help people and to make my community a better place,” Taylor said. “When I have the opportunity, I feel I have the obligation to step up, which is why I ran for the board of town commissioners.”

Miskelly said the family is proud of Taylor.

“My wife and I know what an amazing person Jake is and to see him recognized as the person we have always known him to be as he follows his dreams and goal to help people makes me very proud as a father,” he said.

While serving as a town commissioner Taylor has been studying political science at Loyola University Maryland and anticipates graduating in December. He also serves as a legislative aide for District 35 Sen. Jason Gallion in Annapolis, a member of the Republican Central Committee in Harford County, the first vice chair of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans, and as the parliamentarian for the Maryland State Republican Party.

Taylor passed his first piece of legislation in June, aimed at preserving open space in Bel Air. The measure won unanimous approval.

Guided by the Founding Fathers

As an elected official he is guided by the knowledge and beliefs of the Founding Fathers. He describes their philosophy as the “handbook on how to keep democracy.”

“If you’re an elected official and you’re not well versed in the tradition of American history, I do think you’re missing a piece,” Taylor said. “When the people trust you to lead their community, you have an obligation to give your constituents the best judgment, which you won’t have if you’re not familiar with where you’re coming from,”

Taylor’s approach to government has won praise from Bel Air Mayor Paula Etting, who says he takes the time to understand constituents and town needs.

“It says something about Jake and the way he approaches the things that we do,” Etting said. “He takes the time to really understand stakeholders and what is best for the town, and he is one that wants to listen to the residents and understand what they want because that is who we represent.”

Taylor jokes that in town politics  there are no “Republican potholes or Democrat streetlights.” Taylor enjoys being able to focus on constituent services and find the best way to bring new residents and businesses into town.

As a commissioner, his favorite thing to do is attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new businesses.

“I love it because you get to see people on their happiest day at their happiest hour and that is special to be a part of,” Taylor said. “It is a celebration of a new business and a ‘thank you’ to the business for coming to Bel Air.”

Commissioner James Rutledge, 62, was elected at the same time as Taylor and compared him to an up-and-coming star athlete because of his knowledge of and dedication to politics and helping his community.

“For a young, bright mind like him to be an advocate for the institution, due process and why that is a great thing and a way to have a peaceful community, that is fantastic,” Rutledge said. “It is not some old gray-hair guy reminiscing over ‘the good days’ and nostalgia. He brings the perspective of young people older guys like me can’t really relate to and that is helpful.”

‘A breath of fresh air’

Rutledge noted that Taylor works well not only with other commissioners and the mayor’s administration, but with town departments and other groups like volunteer organizations. When issues or disagreements arise, Rutledge praised Taylor for being able to build bridges while getting his point across, even when he disagrees.

“He really brings a true respect for the process and dignity for the other people involved and it’s a breath of fresh air,” Rutledge said. “He has that knack that I think we are missing a lot of times in American politics.”

Mary Chance, 72, also serves with Taylor as a commissioner and said she admires his energy. She said he “does his homework” and is a true “parliamentarian” when it comes to process.

“He is dedicated and smart and gives a lot of time and consideration to the legislation that comes before us and you don’t find that everywhere — especially with a 21-year-old,” Chance said. “He is very professional, and I think most 21-year-old people are not as polished as he is.”

Looking to the future, Taylor emphasized that he is not concerned with higher office at the moment and that his focus remains on bettering the Town of Bel Air and serving his constituents.

He aims to attract and support more small businesses, prioritize and improve critical infrastructure, and continue his support of public safety.

“I have a long-term goal of helping as many people as I can and if that means staying here and helping the people of the town, then I can think of no better life purpose than that,” Taylor said. “It is the honor of a lifetime.”

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.