PEORIA MAGAZINE January 2023

of times they seemed just so far away from everything that goes on. [This] really brought it home and together." As Election Day loomed, the interns prepared themselves for the most hands-on experience a campaign volunteer could ever have in a political campaign -- in-person canvassing. This was eye-opening for Dearman. "I thought campaigns were more of a digital or televised type thing, or maybe they'd have rallies or whatever you see on TV," he said. "I didn't understand just how involved the boots on the ground campaign actually was. I had no idea that canvassing was even a thing." McMillan, a former chief of staff to Congressman Ray LaHood, prepared the team with a series of detailed lectures on how political campaigning works. They spent several days canvassing door-to-door in Topeka and Lawrence, the home of the University of Kansas. Denton recal led a memorable interaction when she came across a consistent Republican voter, who surpr isingly declared hersel f a Democrat Kelly voter. "It was really great to see bipartisanship work at such a small level," she said. "That's not something you see nowadays." When the interns gathered at the results watch party the evening of Election Day, they reflected on how their perception of political campaigns had changed by having participated in one directly. "We're so used towatching campaigns roll out on our couches in our pajamas, and it was so weird to be dressed up in this huge hotel and sitting in chairs with nail biting going on because we're so nervous about so many different campaigns running at the same time," said Denton. "It was just a really fun experience." Gov. Kelly remained ahead in her contest throughout the evening, but the race was too close to call. "That was honestly more nerve-wracking because you would much rather go from losing to winning than … from winning to losing," said Hampton.

(Left to right) Brad McMillan, Melody Hampton, Emily Brouch, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Sarah Denton, Levi Dearman, and Azlyn Porter.

’STATE POLITICS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE INCREASED GRIDLOCK IN D.C., ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT‘ — Melody Hampton Hampton has already decided to explore a career as a political staffer, but is now considering the state level rather than the federal level "because state politics, especially with the increased gridlock in D.C., are becoming more and more important." Ultimately, all of the students affirmed an intention to become more politically engaged, whether as a more informed voter or as a career. As they say, a week is a long time in politics.

By midnight, their optimism had started to grow. Gov. Kelly appeared to the raucous cheers of the exhausted volunteersbut still didnot declarevictory. For the Bradley interns, meanwhile, it was time to head home. Along the way, they discovered that the race had been called for their candidate. A small cheer broke out – a reflection of achieved expectation, relief and exhaustion. The studentswere glad they could share that moment together as a team. Especially rewarding for the interns was the after-the-fact breakdown of voting data, which showed how Topeka and Lawrence had provided some of the strongest support for Gov. Kelly in the state. Although they were just five people knocking on a limited number of doors during those few days, they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their contribution. "We went to people that would not have voted," said Dearman. "All you can do is try … We put in our best effort." As they crossed the Illinois-Missouri border for the final leg back to Peoria, the exhausted-yet-elated interns ref lected on their experience and mused on how it might affect their future engagement with politics.

Mel Huang is a freelance writer for Bradley University, now living in Chicago

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