<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Butler Lantern]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://butlerlanternnewspaper.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[butlerlantern]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://butlerlanternnewspaper.wordpress.com/author/butlerlantern/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Too young to vote, old enough to&nbsp;run]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Rachel McClurg<br />
<em>Lantern Staff</em></p>
<p>Sixteen-year-old Jack Bergeson is planning to shock Kansas and the rest of the country as he starts his campaign for governor in 2018. Bergeson is a current high school junior at the Independent School in Wichita and is a Bernie Sanders inspired democrat.</p>
<p>Bergeson’s age is a definite separator from the rest of the candidates, but so far that has not changed others’ opinion of him.</p>
<p>“I am not nervous about being taken seriously,” Candidate Jack Bergeson said. “So far, I have been treated seriously by local papers, TV, radio, as well as national publications such as <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> and<em> Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC</em>.”</p>
<p>Not being known as a typical politician is also surely to get the attention of voters across the state.</p>
<p>“I believe my age and motivations are my main separators,” Bergeson said. “With being so young and never being exposed to Topeka or Washington D.C., I have not had the chance to be corrupted by the system.”</p>
<p>The fact that Bergeson does not have political experience could be a good thing, but it could also make voters apprehensive when deciding who to choose.</p>
<p>“I say, as things deteriorate here and nationally, we need a bold new direction not more of the same,” Bergeson said. “We need someone fighting for real healthcare reform, legal medical marijuana as a minimum (preferably legal recreationally) and someone fighting for a legal minimum wage.”</p>
<p>If elected, Bergeson is planning to make some changes to the primarily conservative policies, but is not afraid to take advice from those with more knowledge on the subjects.</p>
<p>“As for experience, I will listen to those with much more experience in the system to get a full grasp on it if elected, but I believe I would be ready on day one,” Bergeson said.<br />
Aside from policy differences, Bergeson also differs from the other candidates when it comes to his motivations.</p>
<p>“My motivation differences are that I want to try to get the younger generation involved in politics and that I am fighting for a more modern and progressive platform,” Bergeson said.</p>
<p>Many might have been nervous to run against experienced politicians, but that is not the case for Bergeson.</p>
<p>“I am not nervous,” Bergeson said. “I am excited to get the chance to offer Kansas voters change and get the younger generation involved.”</p>
<p>So now may be the chance for Kansas voters to vote for a candidate that has no previous political experience and that is ready to take whatever comes his way.</p>
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