Campello, of 111 E. North Ave., is single, has no children and plans to finish his associate's degree at HCC this spring. He said he plans to continue his academic career through the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown.
Campello, who grew up in Hagerstown, has never before run for elected office outside of student government, and politics was not in his plans until recently, he said.
He began paying attention to the city government last year, especially the discussions over Washington County Hospital's proposed move, Campello said.
Hospital officials plan to move the facility from the buildings on East Antietam Street to a site near Robinwood Medical Center. The mayor and City Council spent about $300,000 last year on consultants to dispute claims made by hospital officials to state regulators.
"What got me was just how much money was being spent," Campello said.
He said his interest also was raised by the city's sewage treatment problems as well as by the efforts begun last year to tighten the city's policy on snow removal from public sidewalks.
The city began charging people as much as $285 to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, but refunded some of the money and changed its policy after a public outcry.
Campello said those issues made him think, "Aren't these people forgetting that ... it isn't about people serving you, it's about you serving the people?"
Campello said he believes Mayor William M. Breichner has not provided the necessary leadership to the council, and former mayor Robert E. Bruchey II lost for a reason and "I don't think that anyone wants to see a return to the past."
Campello said he believed his third opponent, Richard "Dick" Trump, who is one of a slate of candidates, might not differ enough from his running mates.
"We need other alternatives," Campello said.
Although he said he is taking 22 credit hours of classes - mostly online courses - at Hagerstown Community College this spring, he said he's not concerned about the demands of running a campaign.
"You have to remember, as a former truck driver I'm used to working 90 to 100 hours a week," Campello said.
The primary election is March 8. The general election is May 17.
Breichner, Bruchey and Trump also are running for mayor.
