AMERICA REFRAMED: Kid Candidate

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published August 4, 2023 at 1:14 PM PDT

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at 11 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with the PBS App + Encore Sunday, Aug. 6 at 6 a.m. on KPBS 2

A viral joke video catapults Hayden Pedigo – a 24-year-old artist and experimental musician in Amarillo, Texas – into the spotlight and prompts him to make a surprise bid for city council. "Kid Candidate" follows Pedigo’s unorthodox political campaign while unpacking issues of race, income inequality and gentrification in small-town America.

Amarillo city council candidate Hayden Pedigo explains why it's important to run for political office as a young person in a city with young people while his wife, L'Hannah, tells it like it is when it comes to her support of him.

Family and friends of Hayden Pedigo talk about how the Amarillo city council candidate wants to make a difference for the citizens of the Texas city. Each one of them is inspired by Pedigo's mission, actions and words, especially as a fellow young resident.

City council candidate Hayden Pedigo is invited to a South Sudanese church to meet, listen and speak to their congregation. What he learns when listening to members of the community may surprise him the most in his run as a fellow Amarillo resident.

Watch On Your Schedule:

Become a KPBS sponsor

This film is available to stream on the PBS App. Watch the best of PBS anytime, anywhere on the free PBS App. Stream your favorite PBS shows on-demand and livestream shows from your local station, all from your favorite device.

Credits: A film by Jasmine Stodel. Gunpowder & Sky Films

AMERICA REFRAMED: Kid Candidate

Tags

Fact-based local news is essential