As acting campaign manager, Kristin Williamson is responsible for policy research, working with the media, making marketing plans and setting up fundraisers for Rex Bradfield, Republican candidate for the 103rd district of the Illinois General Assembly. Williamson balances all of these responsibilities with yet another, class. Williamson is a junior in LAS.

Students like Williamson are leaving their political science classes behind and learning firsthand what it takes to run a campaign alongside local candidates.

“This is just another part of my education,” she said. “It gives me a taste of what it’s really like to be out there running a campaign.”

Joseph Glenn, sophomore in LAS, is volunteering for incumbent State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-103.

Glenn said it can be difficult to balance campaign work, school work and his involvement with several campus groups, including the Illinois Student Senate, but the rewards are worth it.

“When we go out and interact with members of the community, you get a good sense of what the community’s needs are,” he said. “You can see how directly these representatives affect their every day lives. Springfield seems far away, but all the decisions made there mean a lot to these people.”

Jessica Frank works as the Champaign Regional Coordinator for Dr. David Gill, the Democratic candidate for the 15th Congressional District, and said the benefits she has gained can’t be measured.

“I have gained invaluable experience and knowledge about how things work from my involvement with the campaign,” Frank, a senior in LAS, said. “This experience will serve me well in my future career.”

All three students said they would recommend becoming involved with a campaign you are passionate about.

“Everyone should try to get involved, regardless of your major,” Glenn said. “Politics affects everything.”

Frank said the best thing students can do is to volunteer their time.

“Obviously we don’t have a lot of money, but time is just as valuable as a donation,” she said. “Human resources are needed in every campaign, and we could always use more volunteers.”

One young person is becoming even more involved in the local political scene this year.

Tom Abram, a May 2005 graduate of the University, is the Green Party candidate for the 103rd Assembly District.

Abram said he decided to run because he felt Jakobsson was doing a poor job and the Green Party needed a candidate.

The 23-year-old became involved in politics when he volunteered in a Green Party candidate’s run for a seat in the House in 2002.

“A lot of the issues I’m talking about are going to have huge effects on our generation,” he said. “We need to be involved and make sure those in power are making decisions that will positively affect us when we get jobs and have families.”

Susan Rodgers, senior in LAS, is the volunteer coordinator for the Abram campaign and also ran for a Champaign County Board seat in 2004.

“It’s important that students realize they truly can have an impact on this community and the University by voting and getting involved with local candidates,” she said. “We’re all citizens and should use our ability to take part in this democracy.”