Kansas Scrambles To Change Rules After 6 Teens Enter Governor’s Race
February 9, 20186:44 PM ET
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/09/584678163/kansas-scrambles-to-change-rules-after-6-teens-enter-governors-race
into the race jumped 16-year-old Jack Bergeson. Calling himself an anti-establishment candidate, Bergeson is pursuing the Democratic nomination, advocating for a $12 minimum wage, legalization of medical marijuana, and high-speed rail for major cities in the region.
Three more teen boys, running as Republicans, soon entered the governor’s race – so many that they had their own candidates’ forum in a high school gym in Lawrence.
“This needs to be a government that represents everyone, not just 30 years old up,” said 17-year-old candidate Dominic Scavuzzo.
wo more teen boys threw hats in the ring, spurring Kansas lawmakers to try to put a stop to such youthful exuberance. Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter introduced a bill requiring candidates to be at least 18 years old to run for the state’s top elected offices, such as governor, secretary of state or attorney general. And candidates for governor and lietenant governor would have to have lived in the state for four years.
But the anything-goes system that has been so appealing to Kansas teenagers has been less appealing to one group: women.
State Sen. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, became the first woman to enter the crowded fieldfor governor in December. Meanwhile, more than 20 men or boys have declared their candidacy.