KCHW NEWS REPORTS

Most 15-year-olds are worried about getting to prom or picking out a college. Ethan Brunton of Chehalis, however, has set his sights a little higher — the Washington Governor’s Office.

Brunton officially announced his candidacy for the 2028 governor’s race last week, joining the political conversation well before he’s eligible to vote. The home-schooled teen plans to run as a moderate Republican, focusing on issues he believes have been long overlooked by Olympia leaders, including public safety, the fentanyl crisis, and affordability.

He’ll be just old enough to meet the state’s constitutional age requirement, turning 18 in the months leading up to the general election. In the meantime, he’s juggling campaign planning with high school coursework and a bit of fishing and hiking when he can find the time.

Brunton first became interested in politics after watching political videos online. While many veterans turn to public service after their military careers, he’s flipping the script — planning to run the state before enlisting. Since he can’t join the military until age 18, he figures now is the perfect time to campaign.

He’s already criticizing the current administration, pointing to recent tax increases approved under Governor Bob Ferguson’s watch. Despite a generational gap wide enough to require a suspension bridge — Ferguson is 60, and even his teenage twins are older than Brunton — the Chehalis teen isn’t framing his campaign around youth. Instead, he says his focus is on delivering fresh energy and working across party lines.

Polling data from the Pew Research Center shows that most young voters tend to support Democrats, but Brunton is banking on broader appeal. His platform targets practical, nonpartisan concerns that he believes resonate with Washingtonians of all backgrounds — from farmers to software engineers.

Brunton’s family has backed his ambitions, though they reportedly didn’t expect things to escalate this quickly. If all goes according to plan, he’ll graduate high school in July 2028 — just as the campaign season kicks into high gear.

He’s also taking his message public next month, with a speech scheduled for August 2 at the Chehalis Timberland Library at 2:30 p.m. No word yet on whether campaign buttons will be handed out alongside summer reading lists.

With one foot in his teenage years and the other in political aspirations, Brunton is hoping Washington voters are ready to consider a candidate who brings new meaning to the phrase “fresh perspective.”