It's been about a decade since one Corpus Christi mayoral candidate voted in an election.

Michael Hall was 18 the first and last time he cast a ballot. He was living Illinois at the time.

Now, the 28-year-old political newcomer, who has already garnered five top endorsements, is one of five candidates asking voters to choose them for the city's top spot.

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"For me, generally, it's been just a combination of I do a lot of traveling, and I was in college through most of those votes, and also the people running for president weren't exactly people I wanted to vote for on either side of the spectrum," Hall told the Caller-Times.

The other candidates are: Aislynn Campbell, Ray Madrigal de Pancho Villa, Mayor Joe McComb and Dan McQueen, who served as mayor for 37 days before resigning in 2017.

Hall said there are more pressing issues to focus on besides his lack of voting history, such as city debt and spending.

"I'm not trying to hide that I haven't voted," Hall said. "I mean, look at anyone in my demographic. If anything I sit with the majority of people my age, right?"

Hall, who is registered to vote in Nueces County, said this is the first community he feels invested in.

More:How to register to vote in Texas

Hall grew up in Glenview Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, before moving to West Lafayette, Indiana from 2009 to 2014, according to a Caller-Times questionnaire he submitted. He earned a bachelor of mechanical engineering and a master of electrical and computer engineering from Purdue.

He moved to Corpus Christi in 2014.

Campbell and McComb -- two other mayoral candidates -- noted in their responses to the questionnaire that they last voted in the special election for Congressional District 27 in June.

The Caller-Times requested the voting histories of all five candidates from the Texas Secretary of State's office. All are registered as voters in Nueces County, according to voter registration records.

The Secretary of State records show Campbell, McComb and Madrigal de Pacho Villa most recently voted in the June special election. McQueen last voted in the November 2016 general election, records show.

Hall has earned the endorsements of several local groups: the Island United PAC, the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors, the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association, the Corpus Christi Firefighters Association and the Nueces County Sheriff Officers Association.

"I think it's been really humbling and just very exciting at the same time to see that all of these people really do think that I am the best candidate for mayor," Hall said.

More:Dan McQueen, newcomer Michael Hall announce bids for Corpus Christi mayor on last filing day

Representatives from the organizations said Monday that Hall's lack of voting history in Texas does not change their support for him.

The Nueces County Sheriff Officers Association, for instance, looks at factors like what changes the candidate will make that's pro-law enforcement and public safety, while being fiscally responsible, said Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, the group's president.

"I mean, he's young," Gonzalez said. "He's 28 years old, so I mean, we'll ding him a little bit for it but we're not going to put the sledge hammer on him."

KEY DATES FOR 2018 ELECTION:

Last day to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 9.

First day of early voting is Oct. 22.

Last day of early voting is Nov. 2.

Deadline to get a mail-in ballot is Oct. 26.

Deadline to submit a mail-in ballot is Nov. 6.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

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