Elected Officials of America: Underdog Stories
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsJoin us on our journey to interview an elected official in each of the 50 states. With a focus on profiling underdogs who beat the odds, find out what motivated our officials to run, the adversities they overcame, and what we need to do to work together again. Do you think politics is only for a select and chosen few? Think again.
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Episodes
Amy Sinclair - Iowa's Senate Majority Whip
December 14, 2018 16:23 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBR-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...
Saira Blair - West Virginia's Youngest Delegate
June 13, 2018 20:49 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBAt 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 ...
Josh Zakim - Boston City Councilor
May 23, 2018 20:18 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBJosh 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? ...
Senator Ikley-Freeman - From Homeless to Oklahoma's Youngest Legislator
May 07, 2018 19:47 - 41 minutes - 57.2 MBSenator 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-Freema...
Julie Emerson - Louisiana’s Youngest Legislator
April 15, 2018 15:00 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MBAt 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 ...
Philadelphia Legend - Ed Rendell
March 28, 2018 20:32 - 32 minutes - 45 MBEd 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 st...
Paulette Jordan - The First Native-American Governor?
March 16, 2018 18:00 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBPaulette 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 mo...
Melanie Stambaugh - Washington's Youngest Legislator
March 09, 2018 17:52 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBMelanie 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...
Chloe Eudaly - From Bookstore Owner to Portland, OR City Council
February 26, 2018 01:33 - 40 minutes - 55.3 MBChloe 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...
Paul Bailey - State Senator for Tennessee
February 19, 2018 22:12 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBSenator 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 i...
Candidate Series - Jordan Hines - Delaware State Senate
February 12, 2018 21:52 - 26 minutes - 37 MBJordan 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 rac...
Interview with Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media
February 07, 2018 17:54 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBOn 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 of...
Eddie Melton - Indiana's Youngest State Senator
January 30, 2018 02:16 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBEddie 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 Republ...
Chicken Soup for the Candidate's Soul
January 23, 2018 02:23 - 24 minutes - 34 MBDoes the campaign trail have you down and out? Tired of being told to drop out of the race, that you can't win, all the while missing every fundraising target you set? Have no worries - you're not alone and you're not the first. Countless underdogs before you have overcome considerable odds while faced with the same hurdles and difficulties that you'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 bea...
Congressman Tom MacArthur - Chair of Heroin Task Force
January 15, 2018 17:00 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBCongressman 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...
Jewell Jones - Michigan's Youngest Legislator
January 07, 2018 15:31 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBJewell 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 Fa...
Candidate Series: Elizabeth Lockman - Delaware State Senate District 3
January 02, 2018 19:42 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MB“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 in...
Bryan Townsend - From Political Novice to Overthrowing Senate Leader
December 27, 2017 16:12 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBState 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.elec...
Victor Pichardo - Bronx Politics: A Contact Sport?
December 18, 2017 21:26 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MBVictor 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 Sena...
Mike Purzycki - From NFL Player to Wilmington, DE Mayor
December 11, 2017 12:54 - 46 minutes - 63.8 MBMike 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 a...
Aundre Bumgardner - Victorious at 20 Years Old
December 07, 2017 20:27 - 54 minutes - 74.4 MBWhile most kids at the age of 20 are partying it up in college or working, Aundre Bumgardner was campaigning to win elected office and become the youngest legislator in Connecticut history, which he did in 2014 at the expense of a long-time incumbent. He even won as a Republican in a very Democratic district. While Aundre lost his reelection bid in 2016, he is not done yet. If you want to have hope for America’s youth and future, listen in. 2:40 - Can you speak about your brother who is ...
Ben McAdams - The Golden Boy of Utah Democrats
November 27, 2017 13:09 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBIn 2012, Ben McAdams came back from a 20 point deficit in the polls to become Mayor of Salt Lake County in Utah. In August 2017, he disguised himself as a homeless person for two nights to get a better understanding of the issues facing the homeless population. In addition to those two rarities, he’s a Democrat in heavy Red Utah - a state that Mitt Romney won with 72% of the vote in 2012. He recently announced he is running for Congress against incumbent R-Mia Love, a race to watch in 2018. ...
Brian Pettyjohn - Victory in 37 Days
November 20, 2017 13:37 - 37 minutes - 51.7 MBGeorgetown, DE native Brian Pettyjohn was elected to the Delaware State Senate on November 6, 2012. 38 days prior, he wasn’t even a candidate yet. After rumors of sex crimes surrounded the Republican candidate and likely winner Eric Bodenweiser, Brian began a campaign to win over not only the voters but also to even get his name on the ballot. Hear how he did both. 5:20 - Pettyjohn talks about his first race for Georgetown Town Council. 6:30 - Brian talks about why he decided to re-e...
Rob Jones - A True American Hero
November 11, 2017 21:02 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBFile this one under “Future Elected Officials of America.” In 2010, Rob Jones volunteered with his Marine Corps unit to go to Afghanistan. While searching for Improvised Explosive Devices, Rob was struck by one, causing both of his legs to be amputated just above the knee. Rather than sit around and sulk, Rob is pushing forward in life while raising funds and awareness for veterans’ causes. On Veterans Day 2017, he completed a full month of marathons: 31 marathons in 31 days. I had the privi...
Marcia Ranglin-Vassell - From Housekeeper to Deposing the House Majority Leader
November 06, 2017 12:55 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MBFrom housekeeper to overthrowing the House Majority Leader, Rep. Ranglin-Vassall was born and raised in Jamaica without running water. Her father didn’t read or write. Motivated by homicides in Rhode Island, she entered the political scene out of nowhere in 2016 and beat long-time incumbent John DeSimone in a campaign that lasted only 3.5 months. 2:00 - Can you talk about your upbringing in Jamaica and when you came to the states? 3:30 - Can you tell me about your first interest in polit...
Ken Simpler - Delaware State Treasurer
October 30, 2017 10:32 - 49 minutes - 68 MBIn 2014, Delaware State Treasurer Ken Simpler overcame nearly a 2 to 1 registration disadvantage and became the first non-incumbent Republican to win a statewide office in Delaware since 1994. Hear about how Ken pulled off the victory, what a day in the life of state treasurer is, and how Ken turned the darkest moment of the campaign into a bright spot. 2:00 - Who is Ken Simpler? 3:40 - What is the day in the life of a state treasurer? 6:50 - Can you discuss your budget smoothing p...
David Wilson - Alaska's Youngest State Senator
October 23, 2017 13:24 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBSenator David Wilson is Alaska’s youngest state senator, and only their second African-American state senator. In this episode, David talks about Sarah Palin’s effect on Alaskan politics, the heroin epidemic in Alaska, and the challenges he has faced as an elected official in The Last Frontier. 2:10 - Can you talk about Sarah Palin’s influence on Alaskan politics? 7:00 - David talks about his first race. 15:50 - Is it youth that is important to politics, or people that aren’t curre...
Chris Pearson - Bernie Sanders Former Staffer
October 15, 2017 16:06 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBChris Pearson, state senator for Vermont, describes working for Bernie Sanders in the late 90s, how Bernie Sanders raised over $30,000 for him in one day, and speaks about his time in office as part of the Progressive Party, a viable third-party in Vermont politics. 2:30 - Chris describes working on Bernie Sanders Congressional campaign in the late 90s. 3:40 - What’s something about Bernie that you know that most people would be surprised to know? 5:00 - Did working on Bernie’s campaig...
Bill Ferguson - Maryland's Youngest State Senator - Episode 11
October 12, 2017 10:57 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBBill Ferguson was 27 years old when he beat an incumbent of 27 years (irony) in 2010. From not being able to make payroll for his campaign stuff to winning, hear how his political innocence led him to beat a Baltimore political dynasty. 2:30 - What is a day in the life of a Maryland state senator? 6:30 - “I didn’t know it was inappropriate to run against a long-time incumbent.” 15:30 - Is it healthy to not have any opposition from the other side? 16:50 - We are way too polarized, and...
Highlights from Episodes 6-10: Anthony Delcollo, Colin Bonini, Eric Brakey, Dan Feltes, Mike Ramone
October 09, 2017 10:10 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBListen to the best quotes and insights from Episodes 6-10. This includes Anthony Delcollo (Delaware’s youngest state senator), Colin Bonini (elected to the Delaware State Senate at age of 29 in 1994), Eric Brakey (Maine’s youngest state senator and current U.S. Senate candidate), Dan Feltes (New Hampshire’s youngest state senator), and Mike Ramone (lost 4 times before winning on the 5th attempt).
Mike Ramone - The Man Who Wouldn't Give Up - Episode 10
October 05, 2017 10:49 - 43 minutes - 60.6 MBMike Ramone lost 4 times, yet found the fortitude to run a 5th time when he won. A remarkable story about never giving up, my favorite part is at 30:10, when he discusses his victorious election night in 2008. 2:00 - Mike Ramone discusses his first race. 3:50 - Ramone discusses the second race. 7:15 - “To me, being successful in politics is about building relationships.” 7:25 - Ramone discusses his 3rd race. 13:13 - How could a young person expect to fundraise? 15:20 - Ramone dis...
Highlights from Episodes 1-5: Michael Castle, Matt Meyer, Alex Torpey, Rysheema Dixon and David Oh
October 02, 2017 11:19 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBThis episode is a recap featuring some of the best quotes, insights and lessons from the first 5 episodes which includes Michael Castle, Matt Meyer, Alex Torpey, Rysheema Dixon and David Oh.
Dan Feltes - New Hampshire's Youngest State Senator
September 28, 2017 10:57 - 42 minutes - 58.6 MBDan Feltes is the youngest New Hampshire State Senator since the 80s. Hear about Dan’s journey, and some choice quotes from Robert Kennedy, Joe Biden and Barack Obama that have inspired him. 2:00 - Dan discusses the hefty legislative salary he receives. 6:30 - Dan discusses his first race in 2014, where his predecessor didn’t support him. 9:10 - What other hurdles did your first campaign face? 13:40 - Can you take me to the darkest time of the campaign? 17:50 - What is the biggest ...
Eric Brakey - Maine's Youngest State Senator - Episode 8
September 25, 2017 10:28 - 41 minutes - 57.4 MBEric Brakey is Maine’s youngest State Senator - elected at age 26 in 2014. Motivated by Ron Paul’s Presidential campaign, Eric embraces a libertarian mindset and is currently running for US Senate. Hear more from Eric, and about his unique background as an actor. 1:40 - What got you interested in politics? 12:35 - What kind of resistance did you get from the Party? 20:55 - What about young people concerned about people using their past against them? 23:25 - What’s the best advice you...
Colin Bonini - From "The Longest Shot" to Senator - Episode 7
September 21, 2017 11:49 - 38 minutes - 52.9 MBDeclared "The Longest Shot" to win by the Newsjournal, Colin Bonini defied Party leaders who told him not to run in 1994. He was elected at the age of 29. Hear his thoughts on the trouble he had gaining support initially, coping with losing a statewide race 51% to 49% in 2010, and how the government crushing his car shaped his political views. 2:38 - What was your first interest in politics? 5:08 - Who told you not to run? Everybody. 9:40 - Colin discusses his 2010 State Treasurer Race...
Anthony Delcollo - Delaware's Youngest State Senator - Episode 6
September 18, 2017 12:56 - 49 minutes - 68 MBIn 2016, Anthony Delcollo overcame a gigantic registration disadvantage and won against a 26-year incumbent. In this episode, Anthony discusses the tragedy that marked the beginning of his campaign, how being adopted has shaped him as a person, and some personal challenges he has overcome. 1:30 - You pulled off a major upset, how did you win? 3:00 - Did you win, or did your opponent lose? 5:00 - What was your first interest in politics? 7:20 - Did you face any resistance from peo...
David Oh - First Asian-American City Councilman for Philadelphia - Episode 5
September 14, 2017 11:38 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MBDavid Oh was the first Asian-American ever elected to Philadelphia City Council. Recently stabbed in front of his home by a random assailant, hear David’s thoughts on rehabilitation, how Perry Mason influenced him, and what the country can learn from Philly politics. 4:40 - What were your first thoughts about running for office? 8:10 - Who told you not to run initially? 12:00 - Who told you not to run in 2011 after losing twice? 15:20 - What motivated you internally to run again? 2...
Rysheema Dixon - Wilmington, DE City Council - Episode 4
September 11, 2017 11:07 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBRysheema Dixon was elected to Wilmington, DE City Council in 2016 at the age of 29. Hear about how a near-death experience impacted her life, and the hurdles she had to overcome as a woman of color entering politics. 2:00 - What was your first thought about running for office? 3:10 - How did you go about coalescing your plan to run? 5:15 - Who told you not to run? 6:20 - “I had to tell myself I’m ready no matter who tells me I”m not.” 6:40 - Did the people tell you that you weren’t...
Alex Torpey - The 23-Year-Old Mayor - Episode 3
September 02, 2017 14:12 - 48 minutes - 66.7 MBAlex Torpey was elected Mayor of South Orange, NJ in 2011 at the age of 23, winning by a 13-vote margin. From literally getting laughed at by residents when knocking on doors, to dealing with a bonafide troll, hear his story about the challenges he overcame to become the youngest Mayor in the history of South Orange, NJ, and his advice for young people considering politics today. “What do I have to lose? So I run in an election and I lose, my ego might take a bit of a hit, but like so what...
Matt Meyer - From Teacher to County Executive - Episode 2
September 02, 2017 12:11 - 40 minutes - 55.8 MBMatt Meyer did what isn’t done in incumbent-friendly Delaware - he beat a three-term incumbent to become County Executive of New Castle County. Hear about the headwinds his campaign faced: from fundraising difficulties to reticent support from political insiders, and how he overcame them. 3:20 - What kind of resistance did you get from the Party, or from people who told you not to run? 4:50 - “[A friend] said he could almost guarantee me that almost nobody would support me and that I sho...
Mike Castle: From Underdog to Governor and Congressman - Episode 1
September 01, 2017 16:02 - 46 minutes - 64.6 MBA statesman for the ages, Mike Castle is a legend in Delaware politics. From underdog to Governor, hear about how a chance encounter with an acquaintance got him started in politics, how he won as a Republican in a blue state, and his thoughts on the bitterness of politics today. 1:40 - What got you started in politics? 14:40 - Congressman Castle discusses if he misses politics. 15:50 - Are politics more divisive today? 19:55 - What would you say to a young person thinking about runni...