Teenager Breaks New Ground in Wisconsin Politics
In a historic turn of events, Marinette’s city council will soon welcome its youngest member ever, marking a significant moment in Wisconsin’s political landscape. Dylan Demmith, an 18-year-old high school student, secured a commanding victory with 73.2% of the vote in the race for the Ward 3 seat.
Having celebrated his 18th birthday just a week before the election, Demmith is set to balance his duties as an alder with his academic pursuits at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His campaign journey saw him engaging with many residents who were curious about his age.
In an interview on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” Demmith addressed these inquiries by asserting, “If you can do the job and you know what you’re doing…age shouldn’t represent that or matter in that way.”
Demmith’s victory means he will take over from retiring City Alder Doug Oitzinger. Expressing his approval, Oitzinger, aged 77, shared, “It’s great that somebody of his age is so interested in city government and the city he lives in that he ran for office.”
During his appearance on “Wisconsin Today,” Demmith elaborated on his campaign strategies and his future plans as a council member. He revealed his approach involved knocking on numerous doors and speaking with over 600 residents to earn their trust and votes.
Kate Archer Kent: What were you doing to gain people’s confidence and votes?
Dylan Demmith: My goal was to knock on every single door that I could. And the houses that I couldn’t knock on, I sent stuff to them so they could get that information as well. I talked to over 600 people throughout my ward before the election was done.
Demmith highlighted his focus on community issues such as recreation, tax prioritization, and enhancing shared services, emphasizing the importance of compromise and collaboration in local governance.
KAK: How do you imagine yourself working as a council member?
DD: Looking through all the stuff, looking through my perspective and their perspectives, and being able to compromise on things and working through together as a community.
As the likely youngest public office holder in Wisconsin, Demmith hopes his election will inspire his peers in Gen Z to actively participate in government, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to public service.
KAK: Marinette has been at the center of major discussions regarding PFAS and water quality. How do you plan to represent the younger generations’ concerns regarding forever chemicals and long-term environmental health?
DD: I know many people — and you know, we don’t know for sure if it’s related to that — but there’s been a lot of people who have gotten cancer in our area and who’ve had to deal with this kind of stuff.
Demmith also spoke about his personal connection to local environmental issues, recalling his childhood experiences swimming in a creek later found to be contaminated with PFAS. He expressed a commitment to addressing these concerns for current and future generations.
Balancing his new role with his studies, Demmith plans to attend common council meetings and fulfill his duties while on a structured college schedule. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has offered support, potentially including academic credits, to help him manage his responsibilities.
KAK: How will you balance this responsibility as an alder as you attend college at UW-Madison?
DD: I’ll always see Marinette as my forever home. This will always be my home to come back to — always.
Demmith aims to apply the knowledge gained from his college experience to benefit his community, indicating a strong commitment to Marinette’s development and future.
