Would You Let Your Teen Run for Governor?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

I wouldn't let my teen run across a busy highway, so I'm pretty sure I wouldn't okay his bid for public office.

Of course, I'm not Jared Christiansen's mom (a fact I'm sure he is quite happy about), so there's no telling how far the 17-year-old could go in his quest to be governor of Wisconsin.

Though, as a voter in the Badger State, I will have some say in the teen's future political career.

The outgoing high school senior is not even legally eligible to cast a ballot in Wisconsin, yet he is determined to run the state.

The teen's decision to throw his hat in the political ring has garnered him national attention. As the son of two truck drivers, who spends weeks at a time home alone, Christiansen maintains he is wise beyond his years and is the ideal person to take over the seat soon to be vacated by retiring Governor Jim Doyle.

For the record, Christiansen will be 19 by the time the election rolls around. What's more, he says he has experience being in charge. Christiansen has worked his way up to an assistant manager's position at his local McDonald's plus he's a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

In regards to his stance on important issues, such as the economy and the environment, the teen says he wants to raise taxes on casinos and oil companies to take the burden off lower and middle-income families. In addition, Christiansen has big plans to harness green energy by building wind farms on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The teen is running as a Democrat, but he's opposed to stem cell research and only favors abortion if a woman has been raped. In addition, he's running against politicians three times his age with more experience (among them the state's current lieutenant governor).

Still, none of that seems to matter much to Christiansen, who says he is determined to make a difference in the upcoming election.

Stranger things have happened.

Would you allow your teen to run for governor?

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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