Sarah Moussa is just 25 years old and has a demanding day job working for state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. So how does she want to spend her spare time? She'd like to pore over the Sacramento city constitution for a couple of years.

Moussa represents the next wave in Sacramento politics, a group seeking to enter office through the city's elected charter commission. She's one of 14 candidates running who is age 35 or younger.

For Moussa, government is a passion. She organized local demonstrations in support of democracy in Egypt during the Arab Spring of 2011. Now, she said, she feels compelled to help shape how her city is governed.

"This is the charter that will govern our city for many generations to come," she said. "And we are the ones who are going to live with it."

All told, 54 candidates are running for 15 unpaid spots on the commission. Voters are being asked on Nov. 6 to create the panel and choose commissioners who would serve two-year terms. If the measure passes, the panel would explore possible changes to the way the city is governed and return those proposed modifications to voters in 2014.

It's a job that seems tailor-made for veteran policy wonks. And plenty of those are running, too. However, there are far more young candidates in the field than those at the other end of the age spectrum. Just seven candidates are over age 60.

Andrew Acosta, a political consultant active in Sacramento campaigns, said the commission is likely seen as "a steppingstone to a higher office" for the younger candidates.

"Some of this is a résumé-builder for people," he said. "You learn way more by doing something than you do by reading about it. For people who want to make a difference, this is a great way to jump into the mix."

The field also includes those who have already held political office, including former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, and eight people who have run unsuccessful campaigns for either mayor or City Council.

The city's interest groups have taken an active – if reluctant – role in the campaign. The Sacramento Central Labor Council, the largest labor group in the region, opposes the measure. So does the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. Still, both organizations have slates of candidates they're supporting.

More than a dozen candidates had their campaign filing fees paid by business and development interests, including the Metro Chamber; many others have received donations from trade unions. And more than two-thirds of the candidates have received support from business, labor or Democratic Party organizations.

Many of the younger candidates are on slates backed by those interest groups. The Metro Chamber's political action committee chairwoman, 35-year-old Michelle Smira, is running. Eight candidates backed by the Democratic Party of Sacramento are under the age of 35, including Moussa.

Another is Melanie Ramil, who is 30 and like Moussa works in Jones' office. She has spent the past six years working in local politics and said she thinks the crop of young commission candidates should be given a chance to break into the city's political circles.

"In Sacramento, there are a lot of people steeped in politics and history, and we can bring that fresh eye," she said, adding that, if elected, she hopes to learn from some of the more seasoned commission members.

She and Moussa are running serious campaigns. They share a campaign adviser and held a fundraiser over the weekend in Old Sacramento. Those scheduled to attend included Jones, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento.

David Ruff, 35, also is running a tough campaign. He has garnered support from many Democratic Party groups and elected officials, including state Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon, D-Whittier. He has canvassed his neighborhood for supporters. And he has raised more money – nearly $7,000 at last count – than any of his competitors.

"It takes a special kind of person," he admitted. "But I love it. I love public policy work."

Tamika L'Ecluse said the commission offers an opportunity for younger people and neighborhood interests to bridge what she perceives as a disconnect between the city and its elected leaders. L'Ecluse, a preschool teacher, just turned 33 and is endorsed by the Fem Dems and the Stonewall Democrats, the region's largest LGBT political organization.

"I just think there has been this revolution within our age group to make a change," she said. "We're just coming to that age where we feel like we are relevant."

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