U.S. News
A Teen Challenger Targets Vermont’s Governor’s Office
Clear Facts
- Dean Roy, a 14-year-old freshman at Stowe High School, is set to become the youngest gubernatorial candidate in American history.
- The Vermont Constitution requires candidates to be residents for four years but establishes no minimum age for seeking the governor’s office.
- Roy founded the Freedom and Unity Party to launch his bid alongside running mate Charles D. Bass for lieutenant governor.
A high school freshman is making waves in Vermont by launching a campaign for governor at just 14 years old.
The born-and-raised Vermonter previously served as a legislative page. He is now using a constitutional loophole that lacks age requirements for the state’s highest office.
Roy established a new political entity called the Freedom and Unity Party after feeling that traditional political structures were failing the state.
His platform includes fiscal responsibility, property tax shifts, and consolidation of Vermont’s education districts to reduce government spending.
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“I know it sounds crazy, a 14-year-old running for governor, but honestly, look at the people in charge right now,” Roy remarked on social media.
“They’ve been doing this forever and things still aren’t working,” he continued.
Incumbent Governor Phil Scott (R-Vt.) acknowledged the teen’s interest in public service but expressed skepticism regarding his qualifications for the role.
Through a spokesperson, the governor noted that a teenager lacks the lived perspectives and experience necessary to manage the state effectively.
“I don’t ask, ‘What would a Republican do?’ or ‘What would a Democrat do?’ I ask what actually would work for Vermont and I go from there,” Roy stated regarding his centrist ideology.
The young candidate plans to utilize online schooling to balance his education with the demands of his gubernatorial campaign.
He maintains that his primary goal is to disrupt the status quo of career politicians and show that young people can advocate for fundamental changes.
“What I’m aiming for is that these career politicians look at me and they say, ‘Oh my God, he actually has a chance to disrupt things,’” Roy added.
