R-Amy Sinclair, Majority Whip for the Iowa Senate, knows hardship, struggle, and tragedy. She grew up in an apolitical family in rural Iowa without telephone service. She had a baby when she was 19 years old. During her first race in her late 20s against a popular three-term incumbent, she was told by her own Party chair, “You’re going to lose.” Her brother tragically passed away during that campaign. Yet she overcame those odds and tragedy to become the youngest serving County Supervisor in Iowa, and is currently the Majority Whip in the Iowa Senate caucus. 1:40 - Was politics in your blood? 4:10 - How was your first race? 5:20 - What was the darkest time of the campaign? 6:40 - How did you get over learning curve of figuring out what to do? 7:10 - How were you treated as the young female who shouldn’t have won? 11:00 - How did you win the primary so handily? 13:10 - Did the other candidates work as hard as you? 14:25 - Would you have had the confidence to say you were the “best candidate” if not on Board of County Supervisors? 14:50 - What would you say to candidates that don’t have the confidence you did? 16:45 - What was the learning curve in the senate like for you? 18:00 - Any personal habits to help you with stress? 19:00 - What does it say about the GOP that only 2/29th of the Iowa Senate are women? 20:10 - How can we have a conversation and remain friends when discussing sticky issues? 22:10 - “My job goes beyond working on a single issue.” 24:10 - “The level of incivility we have reached - I don’t understand it.” 26:10 - What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned? 29:10 - What is the biggest personal challenge you’ve overcome? 30:40 - Best advice you’ve received?

Amy Sinclair - Iowa's Senate Majority Whip

At the age of 17 in 2014, Saira Blair ran for a West Virginia delegate seat and beat an incumbent Republican in a primary to eventually become the youngest legislator in the USA. Hear how she managed her overwhelming fear of public speaking, how she dealt with death threats she received over legislation, and how to handle embarrassing social media situations. 1:30 - Why aren’t you running for re-election? 2:50 - What was the reaction from your family when you told them you were going to run against an incumbent Republican? 4:30 - Was there any point on the campaign trail you almost gave in to the people who told you were crazy? 5:10 - What was the worst public speaking experience you had? 6:00 - How did you keep yourself going when you wanted to quit? 7:36 - How did the local party perceive you when you challenged an incumbent Republican? 10:15 - What would you say to a young person who doesn’t have a strong mentor? 12:15 - Did you face any sexism on the campaign trail or in the legislature? 15:15 - How do you handle the emotions of the negativity? 15:40 - What is some of the best advice you’ve received? 17:00 - What would you say to a young person concerned about something negative about them popping up on social media? 17:45 - What do you think the biggest personal challenge you’ve overcome is? 22:15 - What can we do to come together as a country again?  

Saira Blair - West Virginia's Youngest Delegate

Josh Zakim was elected to Boston City Council in 2013 when he was 29 years old. He is currently running for Secretary of State in Massachusetts against long-time incumbent William Galvin in the Democratic Primary. Will Zakim be the first  Boston City Councilor to win a statewide office in Massachusetts since 1958? 1:40 - What is the day in the life of a Boston City Councilor? 2:40 - What prompted you to put your name on the ballot as opposed to a behind the scenes role like your father? 3:22 - Was there ever a time you thought you might not be successful? 4:10 - Is a progressive wave sweeping Boston? 5:20 - Why did your opponent insult all of Boston City Council? 6:30 - Does it concern that a Boston City Councilor has not won a statewide seat since 1958? 7:20 - What would you say to someone who is thinking about running for office but doesn’t come from a political family? 8:25 - Is there a divide between Boston and the rest of Massachusetts? 9:20 - What is your biggest accomplishment as a Boston City Council? 10:40 - What is something you would do over with your time on City Council? 10:20 - What is the best advice you’ve been given? 12:40 - What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your life?

Josh Zakim - Boston City Councilor

Senator Alison Ikley-Freeman is Oklahoma’s youngest state senator. She won a special election in 2018 as a Democrat in a conservative district that President Trump won by 40 points in 2016, and was represented by a Republican for over 20 years. NBC chose this  headline when Senator Alison Ikley-Freeman won: “Lesbian Democrat pulls off election victory in conservative Oklahoma”. While perhaps going for some shock value, the headline represents just how much of an underdog Senator Ikley-Freeman was in a red district. From experiencing homelessness with a daughter before entering politics, to only putting her name on the ballot as a placeholder, listen to Senator Ikley-Freeman’s episode for an inspiring story about overcoming great odds.   2:10 - How has the mood been since the Oklahoma’s teacher’s strike ended? 3:20 - What’s the been the most personal story that has hit you the most? 5:10 - Can you talk about being homeless? 7:15 - What was your initial interest in politics? 8:40 - Were there no precinct chairs because the Republican Party has more power? 9:10 - How did the special election pop up? 14:50 - What is the salary of a state senator in Oklahoma? 20:10 - Where was the Blue Wave money during your election? 20:40 - What was the darkest time of the campaign for you? 23:10 - Did having an alternative lifestyle in a conservative district come up at all? 24:05 - What was the biggest lesson you learned? 25:00 - Talk to me about election night. 28:00 - Is there a spirit of bipartisanship in Oklahoma? 29:40 - Is there a lesson for the country in how Oklahoma does politics? 30:40 - What has been the biggest surprise for you since you’ve been in office? 31:50 - Has Oklahoma made any progress in dealing with the opioid epidemic? 33:05 - What steps would you take to deal with the opioid epidemic? 34:40 - We discuss ramifications of saying “I don’t know” to a question. 36:00 - What would you say to someone about why someone with an unconventional background should run for office? 37:10 - What do you think we can do as a country to unify again? 40:00 - Am I hearing you say focus on local issues as opposed to national issues?

Senator Ikley-Freeman - From Homeless to Oklahoma's Youngest Legislator

At the age of 26, R-Julie Emerson beat a Democratic incumbent in 2015 to become the youngest legislator in Louisiana. The star of a viral  video, she believes that millennials should gravitate towards the GOP and move away from progressive politics. As a legislator, Julie is dedicated to fighting off bad legislation and repealing some nonsensical laws still on the books in Louisiana, such as a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for a marriage license. Take a listen and see if the next wave of GOP legislators has any hope in winning over new generations.

Julie Emerson - Louisiana’s Youngest Legislator

Ed Rendell is a Philadelphia legend. Ed began his career as an elected official when his campaigning in bars and subways paid off, and he was elected as the youngest District Attorney in Philadelphia history at the age of 32 in 1976. He served as the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1991-2000 and Governor of Pennsylvania from 2003-2011. It wasn’t exactly an easy road. Ed lost back to back elections in 1986 and 1987 and was thought to be finished politically. Take a listen to hear how he got his start, and how he battled back after losing two elections.   :05 - What is a day in the life of Ed Rendell now? 2:30 - Do you miss holding elected office? 12:10 - Can you talk about prosecuting Mumia Abu-Jamal? 16:40 - What kind of resistance did you get for the second Mayoral run? 17:40 - What can we do to ease racial tensions today? 20:44 - You never had a Democratic legislature. How did you work with the Republicans? 23:00 - Do you think there’s a fear to compromise by the purists? 25:50 - Are we one-step closer to getting rid of the electoral college? 27:30 - What’s the biggest lesson you’d want to impart on people?

Philadelphia Legend - Ed Rendell

Paulette Jordan recently resigned from being the only Native American legislator in Idaho to focus on her run for Governor. If elected, she would be the first Governor elected as a Democrat in Idaho since 1990, the first female Governor in Idaho ever, and the first Native American Governor ever in the USA. Will the Blue Wave propel her over all those odds?  2:40 - Did you face any discrimination as an indigenous female growing up? 4:40 - Can you talk about your first campaign and what motivated you to run? 9:55 - Did you come a lot closer than you expected? 10:10 - What was the biggest lesson learned from 2012? 10:00 - Did you anticipate running again after 2012? 11:55 - Did you do anything differently in 2014? 12:40 - What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned representing your people? 14:00 - How do you get things done when you’re in the minority party? 16:00 - Do you think you have a reasonable shot at winning the Governor’s race? 18:10 - What would you say to someone who is concerned about running for office but doesn’t fit the conventional profile? 20:10 - How has the opioid epidemic affected Idaho? 23:00 - What is the best advice you’ve been given? 24:40 - What would you do as Governor to unify us as country? 27:00 - Has anyone tried to talk you out of running for Governor?

Paulette Jordan - The First Native-American Governor?

Melanie Stambaugh beat a 5-term incumbent at the age of 23 to become Washington’s youngest legislator, and is the youngest female elected to the Washington state legislature since 1934. If beating a 5-term incumbent wasn’t tough enough, she is now battling 44 ethics violations and facing thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees, simply due to sharing public Facebook and YouTube videos. Melanie is also a musician, self-taught graphic designer, and a small-business owner who is not seeking re-election to focus on her confidence coaching business, You Impression.   2:37 - Melanie talks about her time playing the marimba. 3:30 - What was your first thought about running for office? 5:30 - Who was the first person you told you were running for office? 6:30 - Can you go into the background of your business? 7:30 - Did you have any nagging in your head that was telling you not to run? 8:20 - How was the experience of the campaign? 9:10 - What was the most negative aspect of your campaign? 11:40 - Do you think the negative mailers hurt her in the end? 12:05 - Any other resistance about running for office? 13:35 - What were the emotions the night you run? 14:10 - Melanie talks about allocating $2 million towards a school. 12:20 - What would you say to another young female who doesn’t have the confidence to run? 14:20 - Did your team ever help you when you felt down? 16:08 - What lessons do you have to getting along with people who don’t like you? 16:50 - Can you talk about the Ethics Committee convening? 18:10 - Were you the first legislator to share the Facebook videos? 20:30 - What is the composition of the Ethics committee 20:52 - Do you think you’re being targeted because you’re a young, Millenial female? 21:30 - Will this Ethics committee help you at the end of the day? 23:50 - How have the marimba concerts to pay the legal bills been going? 25:00 - Are the concerts themselves a potential ethical concern? 26:00 - Can you talk about the heroin epidemic? 27:50 - What can we do as a country to come together again? 29:45 - What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your life? 31:00 - What is the best advice someone has given you? 31:45 - What can the country learn from Washington politics? 33:00 - How will President Trump affect the Republican Party? 35:40 - Do you face pressure from the Party being so bipartisan? 37:20 - What would your message to America be?

Melanie Stambaugh - Washington's Youngest Legislator

Chloe Eudaly didn’t finish high school, but she still managed to beat a Harvard Law School graduate to become one of 8 woman ever elected to Portland City Council in 2016. A local book-store owner for decades, she was out-raised nearly 5 to 1 and yet still became the first candidate to beat an incumbent since 1992. Hear our conversation about she pulled off such an upset, how being a single-mom impacted her campaign, her thoughts on how legalizing marijuana has affected Oregon, and more. 3:00 - Chloe talks about having to close her bookstore. 3:45 - How do you go from running a bookstore to running for office and beating an incumbent for the first time since 1992? 8:20 - What was the reaction from close friends about you running for office? 8:45 - How much did you raise? 10:00 - Did you think you had a chance after getting 28% of the vote in the run-off? 11:10 - What was the reaction from the Democratic Party when you announced? 12:30 - Did anybody talk to you about dropping out? 13:30 - How has your son having cerebral palsy affected your political view points? 15:10 - What was the darkest time of the campaign? 16:30 - What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since being in office? 20:20 - When did Oregon legalize marijuana and what has the experience been? 23:20 - What lessons learned would you pass on to other legislators about legalizing marijuana? 26:30 - How has the heroin epidemic affected Portland? Any progress with policy? And has legalizing marijuana affected the situation? 31:30 - What would you say to someone who is considering running for office? 35:30 - What can we do as a country to come together again?

Chloe Eudaly - From Bookstore Owner to Portland, OR City Council

Senator Paul Bailey represents an area of rural Tennessee where Donald Trump received a whopping 75% of the vote. In this episode, we talk about the real estate boom going on in Nashville, how the state legislature has supported tourism in Tennessee, the reasons behind Senator Bob Corker not running for re-election, the heroin epidemic, and more. 2:00 - Is CB Trucking a family business? 2:30 - How much overlap is there between your industry and legislation? 3:00 - What was your first interest in politics? 4:15 - How did the party politics play into you being appointed? 6:30 - What resistance did you get from the party? 7:15 - Can you talk about how your wife came to accept you running for office? 9:05 - Can you take me to the darkest time of your primary campaign? 11:45 - What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an elected official? 13:30 - Can you talk about the heroin epidemic in Tennessee and any progress made? 15:15 -  Has the state done anything to help Broadway Street to be what it is today? 16:45 - Has local control helped Broadway Street? 17:52 - What is the best advice someone has given you in your life? 19:15 - What is the biggest personal challenge you’ve overcome? 21:00 - What can we do as a country to unify again? 22:00 - Do you think it’s important for young people to get involved, and how can they? 23:20 - What other advice would you give to a young person seeking to run for office? 27:00 - How is Senator Corker not running for reelection affecting Tennesseans?

Paul Bailey - State Senator for Tennessee

Jordan Hines is the youngest candidate for state senate in Delaware for the 2018 election cycle. He is in the midst of a 3-way primary for the District 3 seat currently held by Robert Marshall, who was first elected 12 years before Jordan was born. In this episode, Jordan and I delve into his childhood in the foster care system, how the arts impacted him, what kind of resistance he has gotten from people about running, City Council’s discretionary fund, and more.   2:20 - How has the race been going for you so far? 2:38 - What are the constituents telling you? 3:15 - Do you feel intimidated by the enormity of what you are taking on? 3:55 - Have you had any conversations with Robert Marshall or Tizzy Lockman? 4:20 - Can you speak more about growing up in the foster care system? 6:00 - Have you had any contact with your birth parents? 7:00 - How did the arts impact you? 9:20 - What did you do at the Register of Wills office and City Council? 11:00 - What is your take on the City Council’s discretionary fund? 11:40 - What would you do to prevent spending excesses? 13:50 - What is your burning issue? 16:50 - Has the party tried to talk you out of running? 19:10 - Have any public officials been behind you 100%? 20:00 - Why do you think it is important for young people to get involved? 21:40 - What policy proposals do you have in regards to the heroin epidemic? 22:40 - What would you do to help unify the country? 25:30 - What would your message to be the country?

Candidate Series - Jordan Hines - Delaware State Senate

On January 31, 2018, I sat down with Tom Byrne of Delaware Public Media. Tom was kind enough to let me rebroadcast this as an EOA episode. Tom's write-up about it can be viewed  here and says: "In a political climate that has become increasingly fractured and divisive, politicians at times seem more like partisan caricatures rather public servants.But a former State Senate candidate here in the First State is trying to get beyond the rhetoric to learn more about people holding political office around the country, telling their stories rather than delving into their positions on policy.        Last fall, James Spadola, an Iraq War vet and former Newark policeman, launched Elected Officials of America with the goal of interviewing lawmakers, largely unheralded ones, in all 50 states about why they pursued politics and the adversity many overcame to reach office.   In this week’s Enlighten Me, we sat down with Spadola to chat about his podcast." Time stamps of questions: 0:47 - What was the inspiration for starting this podcast? 2:20 - Does the country need a more grassroots approach to politics? 3:40 - Why have you focused on more local level politicians? 4:40 - How come you focus on the person’s story and not policy? 6:40 - What are some of the consistent themes you’ve heard? 8:50 - How far along are you in the process? 9:60 - What is the reaction you get when reaching out to officials who don’t you? 11:20 - How has this podcast influenced you about running for office again?

Interview with Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media

Eddie Melton won a 4-way Democratic primary in 2016 to join a lonely group of legislators: only 9 out of 50 state senators in Indiana are Democrats. He got his start in politics with an appointment to the state Board of Education by then Governor Pence in 2015. An outsider to Democratic politics, he didn’t participate in party politics prior to his election and is now the Deputy Chair of the state party. Hear us chat about the war on drugs, how he gets anything done as a Democrat in a Republican-controlled legislature (supermajorities in both houses), and more. 2:50 - Is Gary, Indiana an economically depressed area? 4:20 - Can you talk about being appointed to the State Board of Education? 6:20 - What was your background leading up to your appointment to the State Board of Education? 8:00 - Were you going to run even if your predecessor didn’t retire? 9:45 - Can you talk about your 4-way primary? 11:20 - What was the darkest time of your campaign? 13:10 - Can you go more in-depth about the resistance you faced? 15:00 - What is your approach as Deputy Chair? 16:45 - What do you say who isn’t embraced by the Party? 18:25 - How does a Democrat so drastically outnumbered get anything done in Indiana? 21:45 - Can you talk about your experiences with the politics of the who, as opposed to the what? 24:45 - What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned? 25:30 - Can you talk about the heroin epidemic in Indiana? 29:00 - What’s the biggest personal challenge you’ve overcome? 30:30 - What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? 34:00 - What can we do as a country to unify again? 38:00 - What can the country learn from Indiana?

Eddie Melton - Indiana's Youngest State Senator

Does the campaign trail have you down and out? Tired of being told to drop out of the race, that you can&#39;t win, all the while missing every fundraising target you set? Have no worries - you&#39;re not alone and you&#39;re not the first. Countless underdogs before you have overcome considerable odds while faced with the same hurdles and difficulties that you&#39;re going through right now. In this recap episode, we hear from legislators from Alaska to Delaware who beat the odds: 2:00 - D-Matt Meyer beat a three-term incumbent to become County Executive of New Castle County, DE. He speaks about the troubles he had getting support from public officials, fundraising difficulties, and he shares a story from former Virgina Congressman Tom Perriello. Full episode here.  5:00 - I-Alex Torpey was elected Mayor of South Orange, NJ when he was 23 years old. He talks about people laughing at him when he knocked on doors, and he shares his thoughts on where the bar is set for people thinking about jumping into the ring. Full episode here.  7:20 - D-Rysheema Dixon survived a crowded field and was elected to an open at-large City Council seat in Wilmington, DE in 2016 when she was 29. She speaks about how she had to filter outside noise and chatter and listen to her gut about being ready to run, not other people. Full episode here.  8:25 - In what was the biggest political upset in Delaware in 2016, R-Anthony Delcollo beat a 26 year incumbent, who was also President Pro Tempore of the state senate. He pulled off that victory despite being out-registered 2 to 1. He reminds us where all modern-day entrenched incumbents started off, what people said to him about his race, and the importance of having a great team behind you. Full episode here.  10:45 - R-Colin Bonini was elected in 1994 when he was 29. He talks about the total lack of support he had from the Republican party, his thoughts on if and when people should run for office, and the lack of an age limit in politics. Full episode here.  13:15 - Maine&#39;s youngest state senator and US Senate candidate, R-Eric Brakey, beat a long-time Democratic incumbent in 2014 at the age of 26. He reflects on his own Party leadership finding primary opponents to run against him. Full episode here. 14:30 - R-Mike Ramone lost 4 races before winning a Delaware State House seat on his 5th attempt. He reflects on lessons from losing, how grueling the process was, and the importance of trust. Full episode here.  15:50 - D-Bill Ferguson was 27 years old when he beat a long time incumbent in a Democratic primary to become the youngest state senator ever in Maryland&#39;s history. He talks about how people thought he was crazy, how tough it was raising money, and why he would encourage young people to run for office. Full episode here.  20:40 - D-Marcia Ranglin-Vassell was born in Jamaica as one of 9 kids. She didn’t have running water growing up and worked as a housekeeper after coming to the states. She becam

Chicken Soup for the Candidate's Soul

Congressman R-Tom MacArthur (NJ) was elected to an open seat in the 3rd Congressional District in 2014, after fending off his Democratic challenger in a battleground district that President Obama won in 2012. Since in office, he has authored the MacArthur Amendment of the American Health Care Act, successfully fought for  a $10,000 property tax deduction in the recent tax bill, and chairs the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. He entered politics after a successful business career, and was the Mayor of Randolph, NJ before running for Congress. In this episode, we talk about the 2017 NJ election results and what they portend for the country, the contentious town hall debate that received nationwide press coverage, Roy Moore, the heroin epidemic, and more.   2:30 - Can you talk about your background in business and how it parlayed into going into politics? 4:15 - When did you get the political bug? 5:00 - What resistance did you get from the Party? 6:20 - Any dark times in any of those campaigns? 8:20 - TownHall discussion: “I think that was the most difficult moment I had.” 11:00 - Can you tell me more about the MacArthur amendment? 12:30 - What was the biggest lesson of navigating such muddy waters? 13:30 - How can we fix the discord in the country? 17:09 - How do you see Roy Moore’s potential election affecting the Republican Party? 20:00 - What’s the story on the ground about the 2017 election results in New Jersey? 21:00 - What’s the best advice someone has given you? 26:30 - Can you speak about the heroin epidemic?

Congressman Tom MacArthur - Chair of Heroin Task Force

Jewell Jones was first elected to Inkster City Council at the age of 20, and became the youngest representative in Michigan history at the age of 21. He has  met Mark Zuckerberg, is an auxiliary police officer, and is currently finishing up his senior year at the University of Michigan-Dearborn as an ROTC cadet. Take a listen as we discuss the past and future of Detroit, how Jewell wants us to stop understanding and start “over-standing” each other, and more. Instagram: @jewelljonesmi Facebook: Jewell Jones for State Representative   2:20 - What happened to Detroit, and are we coming back? 4:15 - Is Detroit on the upswing? 5:50 - Can you talk about your upbringing and how it positioned you to be successful? 7:15 - Did you get any resistance from the Party? 8:35 - Can you talk about how you made the leap from City Council to State Representative? 10:00 - Can you talk about how you were selected? 12:50 - Can you talk about being an auxiliary police officer and how it shows you both sides? 14:45 - What would you do to fix police-community relations? 16:00 - How was meeting Mark Zuckerberg? 17:30 - What would you say to someone worried about their social media past biting them? 19:30 - Take me to a time when you thought you might not win the campaign, and did you face any discrimination? 21:05 - What’s the biggest personal challenge you’ve overcome? 22:00 - What’s the best advice you’ve been given? 22:50 - What steps have Michigan taken to help with the heroin epidemic? 26:00 - How can politicians unify the country? 27:00 - What motivates you? 29:50 - What would your message to the country be?

Jewell Jones - Michigan's Youngest Legislator

“Life is about how you respond to challenges.” - Elizabeth Lockman  Delaware State Senate District 3 has a primary on its hands: long-time incumbent D-Robert Marshall is being challenged by Jordan Hines and Elizabeth Lockman. In this interview, Elizabeth Lockman reflects on how the beginning of her campaign has gone so far, some of the challenges she has overcome in her life, and what it is like being an unconventional political candidate. :40 - Can you talk about some of the emotions involved in campaigning? 4:40 - What has been the scariest part of your 6 week campaign? 7:20 - What kind of resistance have you faced from the Party? 9:45 - How would your teachers in middle and high school describe you? 12:20 - What’s the biggest challenge that you’ve overcome? 18:20 - Have we made any progress with education? 25:30 - What is the best advice someone has given you? 27:20 - What would you say to someone fighting the same fears you faced? 30:15 - What’s the best way for people to follow along?

Candidate Series: Elizabeth Lockman - Delaware State Senate District 3

State Senator D-Bryan Townsend was a political newcomer when he pulled off a gigantic upset in 2012 and beat Senate President Pro Tem Tony Deluca in a Democratic primary. Hear about some of the resistance he faced running against such a political heavyweight, how his political views were shaped by his father as a Newark police officer and his mom a teacher, and his thoughts on his 2016 Congressional run which had him finishing in second place. To view the show notes, head on over to www.electedofficialsofamerica.com/episode22.   1:50 - How did your blue collar roots mold you? 2:40 - Any dissonance between you being the son of a police officer and progressive? 5:40 - What was your professional life before your election? 8:04 - Any political inspirations when you were younger? 10:45 - How was it received when you announced you were running against DeLuca? 13:15 - Take me to the harshest, specific reaction you got from the Party. 15:00 - Did you think you were going to win? 18:10 - Darkest time of your campaign? 19:30 - What do you think about Delaware legislators also having a government job? 23:15 - Did you get some support from behind the scenes players? 24:15 - What would your message be to young people who might not withstand pressure from Party people? 26:30 - What can we do to reduce the bitterness in the country? 29:30 - What can you say about your Congressional run? 32:30 - What big lesson did you learn from that race? 34:30 - What legislation dealing with the heroin epidemic has been successful? 37:30 - What’s been your biggest lesson and biggest surprise so far? 40:00 - What’s the best advice someone has given you? 41:05 - What book had the biggest impact on you? 42:15 - What would your message be to the USA?

Bryan Townsend - From Political Novice to Overthrowing Senate Leader

Victor Pichardo was first elected in a special election in 2013 to the New York General Assembly to represent the Bronx. Bronx politics is a unique animal: Victor’s predecessor, Nelson Castro, had to resign due to to a bribery scandal, and Victor’s opponent, Hector Ramirez,  in 2014 was arrested for  voter fraud (and still lost!). Hear how Pichardo’s interest in politics got sparked by Senator Schumer’s concern for his family after the tragic murder of Victor’s cousin, some insight into Senator Schumer as a person and not a politician, and how Victor survived a 6-way primary in 2013 and has won 2 elections since, even with a cheating opponent.   2:15 - Is politics a contact sport in the Bronx? 3:10 - What is your background? 8:15 - How is Senator Schumer as a person? 10:15 - What’s a good story about him? 13:05 - Take me to your six-way primary. 17:55 - What was the darkest time of your campaign? 21:45 - What did you learn from all the drama? 25:20 - What is the average age of the NY General Assembly? 26:40 - What would you say to a young person thinking about getting involved in politics? 30:10 - What else can we do as a country to unify and heal? 33:00 - What is the best advice someone has given you? 35:00 - What book would you assign students? 37:00 - What would your message be to the country?

Victor Pichardo - Bronx Politics: A Contact Sport?

Mike Purzycki survived a crowded Democratic primary and ousted the incumbent in September 2016. Hear his thoughts on Wilmington 11 months after his inauguration, a personal story about Wellington Mara, what he would do to help education in Delaware, and more. 2:00 - Can you talk about your upbringing in Newark, NJ? 6:30 - Mike reflects on his time with the NY Giants. 9:30 - What was your NFL salary? 10:30 - What prompted your first foray into politics? 12:00 - What made you think about running for Mayor? 15:00 - What kind of resistance did you get about running for Mayor? 16:15 - Why did people think you had no chance? 18:30 - What was the darkest time of the campaign? 19:50 - Can you talk about Eugene working in the cabinet? 21:00 - How has it been going as Mayor for 11 months? 23:30 - Can you talk about walking on the racial sensitivity tight-rope? 28:50 - Do you think the problems of Wilmington are too big for any one Mayor to fix? 33:00 - How would you fix Delaware’s educational system? 35:30 - How can we get City Council to function again? 38:30 - What has been hard to get done? 41:50 - What can we do as a country to come together again? 44:30 - What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

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