The Impact of Buckeye Boys State Governor Election

After winning in an electoral landslide, Dajeun Dickerson Jr. of Zulch City was selected as governor, giving the Nationalist Party their first win in six years at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS). Dickerson won the election with 460 votes to his opponent’s 210, nearly a 45-point margin. 

During his campaign, Dickerson promised unity, fairness, and equality among delegates, catching the eyes of many who held similar beliefs. His powerful, yet soft-spoken speeches convinced voters of his aptitude and thus, on June 11th, 2025, he was officially sworn in as governor of the 87th Session of ALBBS.

The governor started his term strong, with the first day being almost entirely centered around going through legislation. He and his appointed cabinet had already sat down to set goals for the rest of  the week. Following his moving campaign slogan “Unity in the community,” Dickerson plans to do this by scheduling closely knit community events that he hopes will bring the delegates of ALBBS together. 

Throughout his campaign, Dickerson emphasized his commitment to community values and preventing drug abuse. He acted on these values by, for example, passing a bill directing money from the taxation of tobacco to education initiatives.

Dickerson also explained his promised “community gatherings.” He said that he plans on getting all of the county leaders and representatives together to schedule a conference to talk about potential events.

He also talked about what skills ALBBS has taught him, saying, “I mean, you come in at the beginning of the week–on a Sunday afternoon…not only do you just come there, but you share a room with another random person. That teaches you trust.”

He explained further that if “you’re running for positions…you have to campaign. It’s vital to your success. And so that pushes you out of that…comfort zone.”

Dickerson illustrated his general campaign strategies, saying, “Be intentional and be yourself,” he continued. “If people tell you to go out of your comfort zone, you don’t have to–feel comfortable in what you do…Don’t be pushed to somewhere you don’t want to be pushed…I am comfortable in my position, so I feel I can execute it well.” 

Finally, he went into his plans after this week, claiming to have “concepts of a future.” One of his current dreams of note is to go into mortuary science to open his own funeral home, with a minor in musical education. 

Although some delegates have complained about lack of communication, the governor’s promises of change still inspire many delegates as they near graduation. 

Dickerson now represents the greater part of ALBBS as the elected governor and, with effort from his entire cabinet, is now working to finalize his policies and begin pointing the delegates  to a more unified future.