In a campaign that has captured interest across Vermont and beyond, 14-year-old Stowe High School freshman Dean Roy is running for Governor of Vermont in the 2026 election. Vermont is one of the few states in the country without a minimum age requirement for gubernatorial candidates, meaning Roy is legally eligible to run despite being too young to vote. As he put it in a video posted to Instagram, “I know it sounds crazy, a 14 year old running for governor,” but he also told viewers that “Vermont deserves better,” encouraging people to take “a chance on something different, even if that change comes in the form of a 14-year-old.”
According to an interview with The Free Press, Roy’s interest in politics began in part because of a conversation with a teacher, who joked he would manage Roy’s campaign if he ever ran. After looking up the requirements to run for governor and finding there was no age limit, he decided to give it a try. His platform blends ideas aimed at making life more affordable in Vermont, including lowering taxes for families and small businesses, housing reform, and resisting new restrictions on guns, construction, or farming, all framed around personal freedoms. He places a large emphasis on critiquing rising property costs. He told The Stowe Reporter that “when a kid in Vermont understands that there’s a housing and affordability crisis, that’s when you know it’s bad,” showing how seriously he views these statewide concerns and how he is able to put them in the context of the national economy.
Roy is no stranger to the Vermont State House. In winter 2024, he served as a legislative page in Montpelier, where he shadowed lawmakers and gained an inside look at the legislative process. During that time, he even engaged in discussion with Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers about electric vehicle policy, illustrating his willingness to speak with experienced legislators even when they disagree. Roy told The Stowe Reporter that he hopes to build on that experience as his campaign continues, and he is also seeking a letter of recommendation from Senator Bernie Sanders for a U.S. page position in Washington, D.C.
Roy agreed to interview a Hallmanac reporter about his campaign but repeatedly canceled or rescheduled at the last minute, and in the end no interview happened. Roy repeatedly said that he was too busy, which highlights the reality of balancing a statewide campaign with school responsibilities. It does raise questions about how he would handle all of his work if he was to be elected.
In other interviews, Roy has spoken candidly about his goals and limitations. When asked about collecting signatures to get on the ballot, he told ABC News, “A few people just say no, which is totally reasonable. I understand why they do,” emphasizing that campaigning has meant learning how to interact with voters and manage setbacks. He also told ABC News that if he were to win, “It’d be hard, but I can do it,” referring to his plan to continue high school virtually and through online studies while serving in office.
Supporters of Roy’s campaign see it as a sign of youth engagement in politics, with some applauding his initiative and the clarity of his messaging, while critics argue that his age and limited life experience make him wholly unprepared to lead a state. Roy himself has said that he does not expect to beat incumbent Governor Phil Scott, but he hopes his run will “start proving himself as a viable option for voters now” and help launch a future in public service, according to The Stowe Reporter.
As Vermont heads into its 2026 gubernatorial election, Dean Roy’s campaign continues to stand out for its unconventional nature and the conversations it has sparked about age leadership and who belongs in political debates. Whether or not he ultimately makes the ballot or garners significant voter support, his candidacy has already challenged traditional expectations of what a gubernatorial candidate looks like. In a state known for its independent political culture, Roy’s run highlights how even young voices can attempt to shape public discourse.
The 2026 Vermont Gubernatorial Election will take place on November 3, 2026, and until then, Dean Roy’s campaign will continue.
Image source: The Stowe Reporter