Hi John --
Amongst the current madness, thousands of first-time candidates continue to campaign -- safely -- for state and local offices across the country. These inspirational hopefuls are working in their communities to provide support, structure and care where it is most needed.
Take a look at one of these candidates in our spotlight on Amanda Qualls, who has worked in mission-driven organizations throughout her career. Most recently, she served as Human Resources Director for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign and prior to joining Pete for America, Amanda was the Director of Human Resources at Ballotpedia. Now she's running for Indiana State House in District 49.
Take a minute to read our chat with Amanda, then chip in to help us find and support candidates like her.
Thanks,
Run for Something
What inspired you to run for something?
I can’t point to one person or event that inspired me to run. Instead, a group of people and a series of life experiences encouraged me toward public service, and I will give just a couple of examples.
First, I was raised by a single mother who is also a small business owner. Watching the challenges she experienced, her advocacy for others, and her care for her community has always been inspiring to me. While she is not an elected official, her spirit of service and dedication pushed me in that direction.
Second, neither of my paternal grandparents received a high school education, with both of them leaving school in middle school. Both of them were also physically disabled as adults, and I watched them navigate the systems of government assistance for healthcare and housing without formal education as I was growing up. Seeing them work through those challenges was both heartbreaking and inspiring. They were both very resourceful people, but they faced many hurdles that could have been alleviated with better government policies. Though they have both passed on, they continue to serve as an inspiration to me.
How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your campaign and your community? What have you been doing in your community as a candidate?
While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly affected my campaign — canceled events, no door knocking, etc. — it is much more important and significant how it has affected my community. Elkhart County’s economy heavily relies on manufacturing. Chiefly, Elkhart County produces recreational vehicles, and most RVs in the US are made here. These are not jobs that can be done remotely, so many people are now out of work and struggling. Additionally, Elkhart County has a vibrant restaurant and bar industry, and those businesses, and the people they employ, are also struggling mightily. As much as possible, I’m supporting the businesses that I can through their new business models and encouraging others to do the same.
What’s surprised you the most about being a candidate?
Choosing to run for office is a big decision, and, at least for me, it has always been a scary one. This is my third race — as I have run previously for school board — and what I have been surprised and delighted by each time is the amount of support that you will find is there for you if you make the choice to run. From organizations like Run for Something and 25 Women for 2020 to individuals in your community that you may not even know personally, once you put yourself out there, you will find a community of support, and that is heartening and uplifting.
If you could change one thing in politics today, what would it be?
I would love to see a move away from hyperpartisanship and toward greater collaboration. Even holding tightly to your beliefs and principles, as a public servant, it is your duty to sometimes make compromises to accomplish things for your constituents. If you can’t achieve exactly the policy or ultimate outcome you are seeking, but you can move things in a positive direction for your constituents, then you should take that course. However, you must always continue to advocate and move the needle toward your ultimate goals over time.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about running for office someday?
If you’re thinking about running for office someday, you should do it! You might not be able to do it right now, but you can start taking steps today. Start by talking to friends, family members, and community members (current elected officials, community leaders, and business owners). You might find that you already have the support you need to run, and if so, go for it. The best way to learn is to do, so even if you aren’t successful in your first race, don’t give up on the future.
If your feedback from others is not overwhelmingly positive right now, what are the challenges that they foresee for you, and how can you overcome those? Before I ran for school board, I became an elected board member at my cooperative grocery store and got involved in my county party. Over time, that helped me to build a network and feel more ready and supported to run, and you might find a similar path to be helpful to you.
What is one takeaway you’d like to leave your constituents with?
I am running for office because I want to represent the members of my community at the statehouse. That means, first and foremost, that I want to hear from those individuals. I want to know what people are struggling with and what is working well for them and their families now. I encourage my community members to reach out to me at [email protected] with their thoughts and concerns.
