2 April 2016

Two Flathead teenagers are running for the MT legislature

Both are just 18 years old. Both are students at Whitefish High School One, senior Chet Billi of Whitefish, running for House District 5, is a Republican. The other, junior Cody Casazza of Columbia Falls, running for Senate District 2, is a Democrat.

Neither has a realistic chance of winning. But each may learn some lessons in life taught only through the experience of asking for the approval of the voters.

Billi is also ramrodding the campaign for Initiative 175, which would allow school district employees to carry concealed weapons at work.

I’ve met Casazza, and exchanged emails with Billi. Both seem like fine young men. But they are young — and their youthfulness raises serious questions about the wisdom of allowing citizens so young to qualify for elective or appointive office.

It’s a question of real world experience. “When I was 18, my father was an ignoramus,” Mark Twain allegedly said, “but when I became 22, I was amazed how much the old man had learned in just four years.”

Whether Twain really said that is irrelevant; the quote rings of truth. Life experiences outside the authoritarian worlds of high school and family count in politics. Candidates are much better prepared at 21 to serve as legislators than they are at 18, and even better prepared at 25, which is my preferred minimum age for elective office. At 18, you don’t know what you don’t know.

Montanans do not share my opinion that 25 should be the minimum, but they do share my opinion that bloggers should give all legitimate candidates a fair shake regardless of their age.

Welcome to the hustings, Chet and Cody. May your lessons on the campaign trail serve you well long after election day.