This week Her Campus had the pleasure to chat with AnnMarie Graham, a senior who is currently, diligently working for the Kasich presidential campaign, traveling near and far!
Major: Dual Degree in Public Affairs and International Studies
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Cincinnati
Rank: 4th Year
HC: How did you become involved with the Kasich campaign and what drew you to this experience?
AMG: It’s very cool for me to be able to say that I’ve been here since the beginning. I was interning with the Ohio Republican Party when Governor Kasich first entered the race, and so I had the opportunity to assist with his announcement here at Ohio State. It’s been a crazy journey since July…to think we started with 17 GOP candidates, and now we’re down to the final four!
But what initially drew me to Governor Kasich’s campaign, and what’s kept me motivated, is that he’s a truly extraordinary candidate who can do so much for this country. Speaking as an Ohioan, I can say that he’s done great things for this state, from creating 400,700 jobs and stimulating the economy to social issues like attacking drug addiction, and I would love for him to be able to do that for our country. He’s committed to unifying Ohio and the U.S., to lifting people up and giving everybody a share in the American Dream. I’m extremely proud to be a part of a campaign that is running exclusively on positive energy.
HC: What advice would you give to anyone who wishes to get involved in a campaign like this?
AMG: Just call the local HQ of your candidate, start volunteering, work your butt off while you’re there, and make friends with EVERYONE. I haven’t been in this world for very long, but I’ve already been incredibly fortunate to meet some people who really believe in me and want to see me succeed, and they’re doing everything they can to help me reach that next level. And the coolest thing is when these mentors tell me that they had people who did the same thing for them in the beginning of their careers. I can’t wait until I’m in a position where I can pay it forward too.
HC: What has been your favorite experience at Ohio State?
AMG: Hands down my favorite memory was traveling to New Orleans to watch the Bucks kick some Bama butt in the Sugar Bowl last year. I don’t think you could make it more than fifty feet on Bourbon Street without hearing an “O-H.” There were Buckeyes everywhere and the atmosphere was so contaigous and just straight up fun. That’s what I’ve learned about Ohio…it doesn’t matter if we’re going to Louisiana to help our football team win or to New Hampshire to help our Governor win, we travel really well :)
HC: What adventures do you have planned next?
AMG: We’ve been playing the away games for a while now, but the campaign is ready for a home court advantage. Ohio’s primary is next on the schedule, so for now my only adventure planned is spring break in Miami…I am still a college kid after all :) SHAMELESS PLUG: Ohio’s primary falls on the Tuesday of spring break, so if you’ve got an adventure of your own planned, make sure you’ve made alternate plans to vote! Absentee ballots must be submitted by the Saturday before the primary, and you can vote early at the Franklin County Board of Elections Monday through Friday 8 AM – 5 PM and select Saturday hours!