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Q: Tell me a bit about yourself.
My name is Andrew, and I have lived in Waterloo, Iowa my entire life. I have a Masters of Public Policy, and a B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration. I enjoy spending time with my wife, staying up on current events, exercising at the gym, and watching Netflix.
Q: When did you first become interested in politics?
My interest began on the night Obama launched his presidential campaign. I was able to shake his hand and talk to him one-on-one. It was very inspiring for me as that was my first election.
Q: Why did you decide to join PTP?
PTP offered me the chance to prove my skills and work on my own local Congressional race, and it reminded me that it’s important to elect the right people.
Q: How have your past experiences helped prepare you as a Canvass Lead?
In the Democratic 2014 primary, I ran for the Iowa House. While I was not successful, that experience launched my career as a political organizer. In the 2014 General Election, I was a recruiter for the Iowa Democratic Party. I have also been a freelance campaign consultant. Since 2011, I have been a member of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party Central Committee, and I have significant number of other volunteer experiences.
Q: What was the most memorable encounter you’ve had with someone while working as a Canvass Lead?
I had an elderly voter who when I first approached her said she wasn’t going to vote. The tone of her voice seemed to tip me off that I should keep talking to her. When I asked her why she wasn’t voting she was holding back tears and said she couldn’t drive anymore. I consoled her but then asked her why not vote by mail? She then responded by saying “well I can’t do that either seeing as how my glasses were broken, so I can’t fill out the form to request a ballot.” I responded by helping her fill out the form right then, which she appreciated. On my way out of the house she put her hand on my shoulder and told me “Son you are probably the only reason I will have voted this year, thank you.”
Q: If you could have lunch with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Tough question, but I would have to say Franklin Roosevelt. It would be interesting to hear about what he was thinking after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and his insights about the many other things that happened when he was in office.
