Months to graduation, Palmer Ridge senior campaigns to become GOP national delegate

While most of his friends await college acceptance letters and start to soak in senioritis, Palmer Ridge High School’s Dylan Sparks is embarking on his first political campaign.

Sparks wants to be a Republican national delegate representing Colorado at this summer’s GOP Convention in Cleveland.

“My friends think I’m insane,” Spakrs said with a chuckle. “It’s a different way of politics and a different way of thinking this year.”

Sparks, 18, hasn’t yet voted in his first presidential election and believes his fresh conservative perspective makes him the right choice at the right time.

“There is a passion with young people becoming involved,” Sparks said. “You’re seeing that with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.”

Understandably, a teenager’s first foray into politics can’t succeed without his parents.

“You know, it’s a lot of money to put into the gas tank when you’re traveling across the state,” Sparks said.

“Our dinner table at night is pretty exciting,” stepdad Nathan Ackley said. “We have some fun debates.”

In a year that’s seen them shine on the national level, this teenager is the quintessential outsider.

“Often, it’s been said that republicans are old, white, country club Republicans and that just isn’t true,” Sparks said

There are about 1,000 delegates running for 13 national delegate spots up for grabs at the state convention Saturday in Colorado Springs.

Sparks is confident about his chances.

“It’s not a longshot, no,” Sparks said. “It can be done and it will be done.”