Meet Louis, who is tasked with managing PTP’s field operation talking to sporadic voters in the great state of Montana!
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Q: Tell me a little about yourself and where you’re from.
I’m originally from Orlando, Florida. I moved around a lot as a kid so I’m well adjusted to moving state-to-state and doing electoral work, which I have been doing for the past six years. I love helping progressives understand upcoming elections and navigate the voting process. I’ve worked in many states, including Virginia, Florida, Iowa, and most recently in Montana last year. Organizing has been my life’s project and I’m really thrilled to be able to continue that work with PTP.
Q: When did you first become interested in politics?
I knocked my first door for Barack Obama in Iowa leading up the Iowa Caucus in 2008. I walked through the snow and made phone calls out of his office, making sure people understood the caucus process and how to participate. That experience is what really got me involved in politics and made me excited to encourage people to get out and vote.
Q: What skills are necessary to being an effective community organizer and what’s the most difficult part of encouraging someone to vote?
I think the most difficult part is that many people are intimidated by the voting process. They don’t understand how easy it is and how important their vote can be. Any field representative who is both knowledgeable and persistent will be able to succeed at motivating voters to get to the polls.
Q: What was the most memorable experience you had while working in politics?
Probably the 2008 Iowa caucus. To me, it was really a race of a lifetime. It was exciting to see so many people filling up a school auditorium and advocating for their candidate, whether it was Clinton or Obama. Being part of a community coming together to make a decision about the future of our country was really special.
Q: How have the recent special elections in Kansas and Georgia impacted your thinking about the Montana race?
I think it’s pretty clear based on national trends that progressives are excited about the opportunity to go and vote their values, and I think that’s what they’re going to be doing here in Montana as well. This is a state that has already rejected the Republican candidate, Greg Gianforte, last year. Given how motivated Montana progressives are to flip this seat, I think he’ll have a real rough go of it this year.
Q: What’s the best part of working in Montana?
Montana has world class public lands, and you’re really missing out if you don’t take some time to enjoy them. Whether it’s Glacier National Park, or one of the 44 state parks, or even the hundreds of miles of blue ribbon fishing streams, there’s a lot to do here.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge to organizing in Montana?
Travel. In the winter the roads aren’t so great and it can be really difficult to get between places.
Q: If you could pass one law what would it be and why?
If I could pass one law, it would be a limit on the amount of carbon pollution going into our air. I think climate change is a real and important issue, and we have not done enough to address it.
