Teen defeats his mentor and high school civics teacher in local board election

Surry County, Virginia — For being conscionable 19 years old, Cameran Drew of Surry County, Virginia, is ambitious — immoderate mightiness accidental overly ambitious. 

In past week's election, the young wide took connected the constitution erstwhile helium ran for a spot connected the Surry County Board of Supervisors.

"I wanted this occupation due to the fact that I knew I could service the people," Drew told CBS News. "I knew I could beryllium an advocator for the younker and beryllium an advocator for our county." 

It's a assurance helium credits to his favourite teacher, Kenneth Bell, who teaches civics astatine Surry County High School.

Bell describes Drew arsenic a "wonderful young man" who helium ever knew would marque a large person someday. He conscionable didn't recognize that time would travel truthful soon.

"He would person been formidable against immoderate hostile against whom helium would person run," Bell told CBS News.

And Drew says it was Bell's "guidance" that "helped maine and prepared maine truthful overmuch for this moment."

But determination was a drawback successful Drew's campaign. To get elected, Drew would person to decision the incumbent, a beloved lifelong nonmigratory and conservative: Bell. 

Bell had held the presumption since this summertime successful an interim capableness aft the erstwhile supervisor resigned.  

Drew was challenging his ain mentor. But some said it didn't make an uncomfortable concern astatine all.  

"Because helium was precise receptive," Drew said. "We were some respectful astir it, truthful it was ne'er an awkward moment."

In fact, during the campaign, Bell said helium recovered himself defending Drew, particularly connected the property issue.

"Yes, he's young, but he's truly invested successful trying to marque a difference," Bell said, admitting that helium realizes it's uncommon for a governmental campaigner to support his opponent.   

"Well, you person to beryllium a teacher, I think, to truly cognize this and to spot idiosyncratic who you helped signifier and mold instrumentality this brave step, not knowing what's going to happen," Bell said.

In the end, Drew won by conscionable 8 votes astatine past count, according to unofficial authorities predetermination results — 345 to 337, a borderline of conscionable 1.2%. 

Bell happily conceded. And what did helium accidental to Drew pursuing his erstwhile student's constrictive win?

"Congratulations, and I'm truthful arrogant of you," Bell said. "And I emotion you." 

Said Drew, "I'm conscionable mislaid for words due to the fact that of the information he's been truthful gracious." 

• Election
• Virginia