This Minnesota teen is the youngest delegate in the country headed to the DNC
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At 17 years old, Isaac Winkler of Golden Valley will be the youngest delegate in the country to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, according to party officials.
He is just days younger than another 17-year-old DNC delegate, Beatrice Schierer of Fergus Falls. They appear to be the youngest delegates in the state to go to either political party’s convention this year. Svetlana Jones was 18 when she represented Minnesota at the Republican National Convention in July.
About 5,000 delegates and alternates from 50 states and the U.S. territories are expected at the DNC taking place between Aug. 19 through Aug. 22. They are charged with shaping and adopting the Democratic Party’s national platform. They also officially nominate the party’s candidates for president and vice president, though they certified Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz as the nominees in a virtual roll call earlier this month.
Of those 5,000, about 100 young delegates will be voting in their first presidential election this November, according to convention officials.
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“The future is here, and this is who it’s going to affect,” said Winkler, a rising senior at Hopkins High School. It’s worth noting that Winkler is the son of former state Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, who served as majority leader from 2019 through 2023.
The teen was originally a delegate for President Joe Biden before he stepped down. Winkler, who said he will turn 18 three days before the election, is excited now to support a Harris-Walz ticket.
Editor's note: The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What made you want to be a delegate to the convention this year?
I’ve grown up around politics for most of my life, my dad being involved in that, and this was my first election year that I could vote. I wanted to make a difference and I feel like voting and being involved in the political process is the perfect way to do that.
I felt that this election had the most at stake, especially as far as recent history goes. It’s a choice between a person who is good, just, and a perfect fit for the office and then someone who has tried to incite violence to maintain their power. Our democracy was at stake, and this felt like the most important time.
What are the biggest issues guiding how you’ll vote this November?
Health care is very important to me. Both my mom and I have Type 1 diabetes, so what the Harris administration has done, as far as health care is concerned, is really going to guide my vote.
Capping the cost of insulin at $35 a vial for seniors, and making it their goal to cap it at $35 per month for everyone, is incredibly important for me. Really what it comes down to is that if that were to happen, I could focus on living my life, trying to do what I want to do, instead of having to do what I think would get me the best chance at having insulin readily available at all times.
I’ve grown up knowing how hard it is just to manage diabetes with all the care I need and support, but if you were not to have that, it would just be impossible to live everyday life, much less achieve your dreams.
Besides that, the environment. Politicians have long talked about how it’s going to affect your children and I’m the children. The future is me, and I think that the future of the planet as a whole is the most important thing to think about, because if we don’t have a planet to live on that's safe for everyone, it’s hard for any other issues to matter.
Have you struggled to access insulin?
I’ve always had good access to insulin, but it hasn’t always been cheap. My parents have always — that’s always been something they have prioritized and taken care of. My mom has had diabetes for the majority of her life, and that’s always been something on her mind.
Recently, as I’ve been looking to apply to colleges, she has been telling me, “Listen, I’m all for you studying whatever you want. I want you to go out and do great things in the world, but you have to be careful, because insulin is something you need and until it’s affordable for everybody, it has to be something that you think about.” And that’s a sad reality, and that’s something I want to change.
Are you active in politics outside of being a delegate?
Yes. In the past, I’ve volunteered on campaigns, and I make sure to stay informed and on top of all current events. I try and do my part to make a difference, but being a national delegate this year was the first time that I could hold an office per se and actually make a true difference as myself, instead of helping other people and I think that is very important, too.
How do you feel about being the youngest DNC delegate in the country?
I am very, very excited. I think that it’s just a great opportunity. I can’t wait to go to the convention. It’s going to be even more special with Governor Walz being the pick for vice president.
In addition to him, Kamala Harris is an excellent choice for the office. And her making history, being the first woman president. I feel like me being the youngest person there, the youngest generation, I feel that it’s really cool to be a part of.
When you were volunteering on campaigns or participating in caucusing, were there other young people?
Usually I was the youngest, but there were many other younger people there. What I’ve noticed is that more and more of my friends and people my age are becoming more involved in politics now that Kamala Harris is the pick for president because they’re excited by seeing a new, fresh face. Someone so qualified and so exciting, and someone that they feel they can relate to more.
What do you want people to know about Gen Z voters?
That’s a good question. I think I want people to know that we care and we have big issues that we really feel passionately about, and we are ready to express them for ourselves.
While we might not have the most experience, we come with a new perspective and we are ready to take on the world and its problems.
Do you want a career in politics?
I’m going into my senior year of high school, starting to apply to colleges. Political science is probably going to be my major of choice. I think I see myself in and around politics for the majority of my life.
Are there any leaders you’re super excited to meet at the DNC?
I really, really would like to meet Kamala Harris. I think that would be truly special. Outside of her, I’m just excited to see other young people, other young delegates, too. They’re not leaders yet, but they will be soon and I can’t wait to meet them and see the future.
I have some semi-important questions. What’s the most essential thing you're packing for the DNC?
Oh, boy. I could be boring and say insulin. But I think other than that, maybe a nice, collared shirt. I think first impressions are very important.
What’s your approach to dressing for the DNC?
I plan on dressing well. I have a suit I’m going to bring. I never like to be the least dressed up person in the room, and I think it’s important being young and being there that you show that you’re very serious about the events that are going on and therefore you have to dress like it.
Correction (Aug. 21, 2024): The story was updated to include a second 17-year-old delegate from Minnesota.