New Jersey sixth grader Zack Martini experienced a harsh reality check this week when he lost the Florence Gaudineer Middle School election. The 11-year-old Springfield native, who recently sought Governor Chris Christie’s advice on landing a seat on student council, was “disappointed” about losing to classmate Zoe Frie but wished his rival well.
“Unfortunately, the results from the election didn’t go our way,” Zack’s dad, Ed Martini, told Yahoo! News. “Zack is disappointed he didn’t win but he wishes the new president, Zoe Frie, the best of luck.
Earlier this month, the young aspiring politico attended a Union Township town hall meeting and inquired about Christie’s suggestions on scoring the middle school student government spot.
After chuckling, the governor said, “Make sure that you get a bunch of friends who think you will be the best person for sixth grade to go out there and help you.”
Christie also advised Martini to always ask potential voters for their vote.
“People like to be asked … They don’t like to just … take their vote for granted,” Christie said.
Of course, campaigning goes beyond talking and conversing with others. Christie told the boy to have “really colorful posters.”
Responding to audience laughter, Christie said, “I mean sixth grade student council, really important to have colorful posters … Hang ’em up until they tell you to take them down.”
Finally, Christie told Martini not to make promises the boy can’t keep.
“Because if you do, they won’t be voting for you in seventh grade,” Christie said.
As reported by Yahoo!, the young student is far from through with his political endeavors.
“He is looking forward to trying again next year,” his father told the website.
Like Martini, Christie knows a little something about election loss and disappointment. In 1995, then-freeholder Christie was defeated in a big for the New Jersey General Assembly. Two years later, Christie lost his freeholder re-election.
WATCH: Christie doles out advice to Martini