In Mortensen's case, one specific youngster is key. He has entrusted his campaign to Tatiana Milne, a 20-year-old from Bountiful.

Though Milne has never worked on a campaign before, she is no stranger to politics. Government has been a passion for Milne since she read a book about George Washington as a young girl. She memorized the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and was home-schooled according to the Thomas Jefferson method, which emphasizes a classical education.

Now a student at George Wythe College in Cedar City, Milne met Mortensen when she hosted a town meeting on a recent increase in property taxes. The two spent last legislative session as citizen lobbyists on the issue.

"I've always loved government," Milne said. "A lot of people complain about our nation and how it's falling apart, but you never hear anyone who is actually taking steps toward fixing the problem."

Milne tries to live the words of Mohandas Gandhi, in that she wants to be the change she wants to see in the world.

When Mortensen made it through the Republican convention, Milne signed on, unpaid, as his campaign manager. Despite her young age and inexperience, Mortensen knew he was in good hands.

"It was just natural, seeing the way she organized and worked with people," Mortensen said. "There just wasn't any question."

Milne is running a grass-roots campaign, and has had to be creative when it comes to spending. She prints Mortensen's fliers on her home computer and has recruited many in-kind donations. Mortensen's job often takes him out of town for weeks at a time, leaving Milne to make key decisions on her own, something she is completely comfortable doing.

"Tatiana is a great leader, and she's not afraid to fail," said her mother, Aneladee Milne.

Leadership is a skill emphasized in the Milne family. In addition to her political experience, Tatiana has directed three Shakespeare plays and founded a class on the Constitution for other home-schooled children.

All the hard work on the campaign leaves little time for "normal" activities, but Milne's friend Heather Fife said passion and dedication are "part of her being."

"She knows every day just why she's here and what she wants to do," Fife said. "I don't know if I've met anyone with [such] a strong moral compass that follows it."

Right now Milne's moral compass is pointing in a new direction. She will depart on an LDS mission to the Baltic states in August, before the general election. She is hoping that if Mortensen makes it through the primary June 24, he will be able to win with the infrastructure she has built.

Though she has invested a lot in politics, Milne has no plans to run for office at the moment. After returning from the Baltics, she plans to finish her bachelor's degree in statesmanship at George Wythe, and then plans to attend law school.

Whatever path she chooses, Milne believes her philosophy will serve her well.

"You can do anything in this world if it's your dream," Milne said. "You can make a difference so long as you believe in yourself and in what you're fighting for."

kdrake@sltrib.com