Getting Started

Post #2

As I campaign door-to-door, I am sometimes asked by voters how (and why!) I first got involved in politics.  The short answer is that I care about issues and people and enjoy using my skills to make a difference.

As Congress copes with the loss of "the lion of the Senate," I reflect back on my start with Senator Ted Kennedy's presidential campaign.  I was in my freshman year at Vassar College and discovered in my Introduction to American Politics course that the views I thought were common sense (good schools, equality, clean environment, peace, etc.) made me not a moderate but a liberal!  Never having been raised with labels, I had not known where those beliefs placed me along the ideological spectrum.

Once I realized that my views were similar to Senator Kennedy's, I decided to volunteer my time on his 1980 campaign for president.  I took the Metrobus from Montgomery County to Dupont Circle, where I walked in off the street to help in any way I could.  That first day, I photocopied contribution checks.  By the end of the summer, I was paid staff and was privileged to be on the floor of the Democratic convention for the Senator's "Sail Against the Wind" speech.  I felt like I made a difference on that campaign, and I was captivated by both the issues and the process.

In America today, too many people feel incapable of having an impact.  I maintain my belief that one person can truly make a difference.  Recently, I launched a petition drive after my neighborhood had suffered through years of lengthy power outages.  When our electricity failed us 3 times in 9 days of sunny weather, I decided that the time for patience had passed.  I called and wrote to senior leaders at PEPCO, recruited neighbors, and started knocking on doors.  Last week, the heavy machinery showed up, and we finally have reason to hope that a long-term solution is underway!

My steadfast faith in the potential of every person to become an agent of change was inspired by Sen. Kennedy and the brilliant and devoted people who worked with him. It has endured throughout my career in the legislature, the nonprofit sector, and the community. I have met so many residents of District 17 and Montgomery County who make a difference every day.  Your stories drive my efforts to help make our County and our State a better place for all of us to live.  With each of us working as individuals...as well as coming together as a community...we can truly accomplish great things!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Has there been a time when you've been able to have an impact due to hard work, outreach to others, or creative problem-solving?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#2) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.