How about a little effervescence with your politics? Meet Gander's Lukas Norman

He looks a little like Justin Bieber, speaks with the wisdom and polish of a statesman, and doesn't shy away when given a chance to rate his more seasoned opponent.

Meet Lukas Norman, the NDP candidate for Gander.

He's just 22, sports shaggy blond locks and a youthful face and smile that exudes energy and enthusiasm.

His charisma and appeal are what attracted more than 50 people to the official launch of his campaign on Friday night, and not just fellow millennials.

"I see a good future for Gander because Lukas, he is young, and he knows the issues, and he has a heart for the people," said Pearce Mullett, a lifelong New Democratic Party supporter who was celebrating his 66th birthday on Friday.

Despite his young age, this is actually Norman's second foray into elected politics.

He also ran in the 2011 provincial election, capturing roughly 17 per cent of the vote with barely any organized campaigning.

Now he's four years older, better educated, armed with the experience of living and working in Europe, and brimming with confidence about his chances for election victory on Nov. 30.

"I'm going to win this riding," he tells the CBC reporter just seconds after they meet.

"I was born and raised here. I love this town. And since 2011, being a name on the ballot, and now to this — we're in this to win it."

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Earle McCurdy, Norman is by no means overshadowed by the more experienced NDP leader.

He talks about wanting to bring democracy back to the everyday person and breaking the grip on power, long held by what he calls the professional political class.

McCurdy described him as an "effervescent, cheerful, upbeat and charming young candidate" who is "smart as a cracker."

Then there's his opponent, Liberal candidate John Haggie.

Haggie is considered a star candidate for the Grits. He's a prominent surgeon who's made his mark on the national medical scene.

But Norman is not intimidated, and unleashes a no-holds-barred critique of his opponent when asked about his chances.

"I have respect for John Haggie. But at the end of the day he's not Lukas Norman. He's not 22 years old. He wasn't born and raised in Gander," he said.

"He doesn't know the people that I sold their pharmaceuticals to at Shoppers Drug Mart in my first part-time job, or delivered them their Beacon, or was in swimming lessons with their kids, or taught their children French and was in the classroom with their kids."

Such confidence is not surprising to Roxann Norman, who looks on quietly from the sidelines as her grandson stirs up the crowd.

She says he'll make his mark on the province one day. 

"If not this time, another time. I'm sure of that," she said.

One of Norman's childhood friends, Dakota Noseworthy, said Norman is not the cookie-cutter type politician, and said that's exactly what Gander needs.

"It's been at a stalemate now for a while," she said, "so I really think he can bring some good things to this area."