GW Today recently profiled two George Washington University alumni who have thrown their hats into the ring this year for seats in Congress. And many of their campaigns are in full swing, with primaries ranging from late March to September.
Among those running are Chris Edwards, GWSB MPA ’96, a former naval officer vying for the Republican nomination to represent Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, and David Schapira, CCAS BA ’01, the Democratic leader in the Arizona State Senate running to represent the newly created 9th District in that state.
Both Edwards and Schapira said GW played an important role in shaping their futures.
Edwards specifically recalled a class in methodology and statistics with Kathryn Newcomer, professor of public policy and public administration, and said it’s helped him interpret and analyze political polls. He also said GW reaffirmed his belief that public servants can play a significant role in solving the nation’s problems.
“Public service is supposed to be service to the public,” he said. “If government officials focused on that, their successes would be many and their accomplishments would be great.”
Schapira said his experiences with professors while at GW, along with an internship with then-U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., were crucial.
“One of the great things about GW is not just the proximity to the heart of politics in the country but also the connections that being a student at the university help you to make in Washington,” he said.
Leading up to their primaries in June and August, both candidates said they’ll be on the ground meeting as many voters as possible and getting out their messages to the media.
Other GW alumni in political races across the country include: Tammy Duckworth, ESIA MA ’92, Robert Garagiola, LAW JD ’01, Roger Goodman, LAW JD ’86, Marc Scaringi, CCAS BA ’93, Brianne Murphy, CCAS BA ’92, and Esther Kia‘āina, LAW JD.
Click here to read more about GW alumni running for congress.
