The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Luke W. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Volunteer for a Political Campaign
I recently went door-to-door (on Sept. 28 and Oct. 31) in the 19th Michigan Senate District for Republican Mike Nofs. On Election Day 2009, Nofs won the race by an overwhelming margin and crushed his Democrat opponent.
Volunteering for Mike Nofs illustrated some interesting political realities that candidates face. The campaign slogan for Nofs was "Jobs first. Jobs now." It addressed the troubles confronting his would-be constituents, who continue to struggle as Michigan faces an uncertain economy.
The area where I campaigned is decidedly down on its luck. In the little town of Tekonsha, Michigan, the signs of unemployment were evident. Dilapidated homes were very frequent and businesses did not look busy. The abstract problem of unemployment took shape in the lives of everyday Michiganders. Nofs' slogan, "Jobs first. Jobs now" expresses what was clearly on the minds of potential voters.
The signs of political pragmatism were everywhere in the campaign. First, volunteers are sent to sections of the district with the goal of turning out the vote. Obviously it would not be profitable to send people to Democrat strongholds and encourage the wrong vote. Also, the Republican Party keeps tabs on each individual voter. Information about the issues concerning each constituent was included on an sheet carried by those going door-to-door. The same paper listed all the elections that the constituent had voted in since 2000.
Embodied in a campaign is the place where principles meet pragmatism. Mike Nofs' ideas about job creation are not new to him and do not reflect a compromise in his principles. Choosing job creation as his message reveals what he must pragmatically do to win the election. Not only must the candidate frame the issue correctly, but he must also put the boots on the ground to spread the message. Thus, the campaign volunteer fulfills an important role by spreading that message with potential voters in the district.
Having found a message that resonated with the public, Nofs was sworn into office by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young during a ceremony in the Senate chambers on Nov. 10, 2009. His win gives Senate Republicans a 22-16 majority heading into the pivotal 2010 elections. The Nofs victory is pivotal as the former lawmaker to hold the seat was Mark Schauer, a Democrat.
Senator Nofs was appointed vice chair of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. He also became a member of the Banking and Financial Institutions, and Energy Policy Utilities Committees.
Mike Nofs endeared himself to his constituents thanks to a successful campaign and now he has the power to make real changes that will alter their lives.
