by Jessica Walters

With less than a year to go before the 2004 presidential election, a handful of Democratic candidates are vying to be the favorite of their party. Support seems to be growing for Howard Dean, who recently gained the endorsement of former Vice President Al Gore.

Support is also coming from a Sitka teenager whose volunteer efforts have spurred national recognition.

While most teenagers know there's a presidential election next year, very few take the time to research the issues or even know who the candidates are, especially kids under the voting age of 18.

But that's not true of Jonathan Kreiss-Thomkins, a 14 year old from Sitka who is already taking an active role in national politics. In addition to his schoolwork, jazz band rehearsals and swim team practice, Kreiss-Thomkins dedicates much of his time to being a political volunteer.

He is a Dean-Linker, someone who links people on the Internet to Howard Dean's Web site.

Kreiss-Thomkins admits before now he paid little attention to politics. He said he was inspired to investigate Democratic presidential hopefuls because of his dislike for President George Bush's policies. That's when he learned about Howard Dean and chose to support his candidacy.

"I'm doing this because I think we really need a change for this country," he said. "That's the first and only reason why I'm doing this, because we need to change some of these extremist policies that we have in place."

Kreiss-Thomkins said he thinks Dean stands the best chance against Bush because of Dean's character and convictions.

"I like Dean a lot as a candidate because he stands up for what he believes in," he said."

The Dean-Linker's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi cited him in an issue of New Republic Magazine, and National News Media has reported on Kreiss-Thomkins' involvement.

At 14, he said his involvement in politics is just beginning.

"I doubt I'd ever become a politician myself. I wouldn't mind working for a politician being a staffer or consultant," he said. "I'm just going to see what happens with this, what happens in college and I'll work from there. If another candidate comes across like that I would probably do this all again, maybe not to the same degree, but I would definitely work for somebody I feel strongly for."

Kreiss-Thomkins started and maintains the Web site alaskafordean.com.