By Nick Kowalski (Blogger, The Other Side)
In Michigan Republican Party (MRP) State Conventions past, most recently in 2008, the duel for Youth Vice-Chair has been quite competitive, often garnering more attention than the seemingly pre-determined races for higher-level posts. This year is no exception. Though each and every State Committee seat will be contested at DeVos Place, the one between Alex Clark and Sarah Ledford will determine the direction of the Party’s youth coalition for the near future.
Clark, 23, of Midland, and Ledford, a University of Michigan alum, will square off in Grand Rapids. The term is for a period of two-years. Each has campaigned across the Great Lakes State, picked up key endorsements along the way. Alex and Sarah are two fine candidates that have bright careers ahead in whatever fields they choose.
But what lies beyond the typical happenings of a trek for political capital is the path forward. As a conservative activist myself, I am wholly concerned with the Party of Lincoln’s status post-2010, especially on the home front. Will our majorities in the State House and Senate and on the Supreme Court remain in 2012? 2014? 2024? With the assumption that the GOP is on the right track aside – and that topic is certainly open for debate – my generation has the statistical capacity to secure a conservative Legislature, Hall of Justice, and Governor’s Mansion for years to come, if only it were a given. The powers that be within the MRP must reach this conclusion and act accordingly, for the sake of our future, our economy, our livelihood hangs in the balance.
Regardless of who claims victory in Grand Rapids, it is my hope that the next Youth Vice-Chair strives to boost excitement for the GOP amongst twenty-somethings, follows through on a bulk of their campaign promises, and most importantly, lobby the MRP and, when necessary and applicable, private organizations for proposed project funds, as a lack of financial support has been a common complaint of previous officeholders. If the position is to serve a genuine purpose – as opposed to a ceremonial title, résumé builder – real action must commence, which will stem from a detailed plan of action, much like Governor Snyder’s goal to cut wasteful spending in Lansing.
Below you will find Mr. Clark’s responses to my questionnaire. As of January 20, Ms. Ledford has yet to respond.
MRP Youth Vice-Chair Questionnaire
Contact information –
Email: Alex.Clark1987@yahoo.com
Phone: (810) 938-4178
Website: http://www.ElectAlexClark.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Alex.Clark1987
Twitter: @Alex_Clark
Biography –
Age: 24
Home Town: Flint, MI
Number of years involved: 13
College Attended: Northwood University
Major: Marketing, Business Management, Entertainment & Sports Promotions
Brief description: How I became involved: I grew up being told that you have no right to complain about anything in politics unless you do something to change it. When I was 11 years old I didn’t like how things were going in Flint and decided to start helping conservatives get elected to local positions and worked on ballot initiatives to help police and fire fighters in Genesee County. Since then I have worked an intern for both Mitt Romney and John McCain’s Presidential Campaigns. I worked on Bill Schuette’s Attorney General Campaign as well as running the successful campaign for Representative Nancy Jenkins in Lenawee County, helping to end 8 years of Democrat control of that house seat. I am now working as the Director of Constituent Relations for House Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas.
Questions –
1) Which GOP politician, historical figure do you admire most, and why?
Alex Clark (AC): The GOP politician that I admire most is Michigan‘s Attorney General, Bill Schuette. I have never met someone as honest and down to earth as Bill. Bill understands what loyalty is and goes out of his way to help those within our party. This is a quality that hasn’t always been the case with elected officials. Bill also treats his volunteers and staff like they are the most important people in the world. He does this because he started off his career volunteering and working for candidates and elected officials. Bill also stands his ground on issues that he believes in and this is something that I always value in people.
2) The overall advancement of the Michigan Republican Party hinges on real actions, not just talk. How much time are you willing to commit to this elected position?
AC: I am willing to put in the hours needed to successfully build a strong youth coalition around the state. It’s not 9 to 5 or 9 to 8, it’s however many hours it takes. Some weeks that might include 20 hours of work while others it might only be a few hours. Thankfully Rep. Stamas is supportive of my desire to serve the party in this capacity.
3) Based on your previous accomplishments in general leadership and Republican politics, how is your track record an indication of what lies ahead?
AC: I have a strong track record of following through on my commitments. I work hard and am always willing to do what it takes to be effective. I have proven this while working with Bill Schuette when I brought dozens of young people to volunteer for his campaign. I also have a track record of building coalitions around candidates like when I helped recruit 60 plus individuals to knock on over 17,000 doors in 2 months when I was the Campaign Manager for Nancy Jenkins State Representative campaign.
4) Please outline your career aspirations. Where do you see yourself in five, ten, twenty years?
AC: Over the next five years I hope to be working as a Legislative Director for a State Representative or State Senator and positioning myself to run for public office at the local level. In ten to twenty years I hope to be serving as a State Representative or owning my own political/marketing consulting firm.
5) Both candidates in this race have been endorsed by various high-profile names and grassroots activists. What makes you stand above your opponent?
AC: What makes me stand out my track record of helping candidates get elected at all levels of government, from city council to Attorney General to President. I am the only nominee to have managed an entire campaign for candidates. I have run campaigns that have been both successful and ones that have not been. I know what it takes to win campaigns and have a track record of building large grassroots operations around candidates. I have built strong relationships over the years with County Chairs and grassroots leaders.
6) Along the campaign trail, have you received any helpful advice from concerned individuals? Please explain what you have learned from canvassing across the Great Lakes State.
AC: The top three concerns I have received while on the campaign trail are:
1.) People have had candidates for Youth Chair and elected Youth Chairs talk at them for years. They want a Youth Chair who is actually going to take the time to listen to their ideas and follow through on them.
2.) Many of our County Chairs have expressed they would like our Youth Chair to make the effort to attend events they are hosting. They frequently say this happens in the large counties, but often the smaller counties are forgotten and ignored until it’s time for convention.
3.) Our grassroots activists are disappointed when Vice Chairs, Deputy Chairs and people who work in State Party get involved in Republican Primary races by actively helping one candidate over another. I agree with them and will not make endorsements of any candidates other than Republican incumbents in primaries. It is not my job to pick winners and losers it is the voters in that area.
7) Hopefully the next Youth Chair will remain busy throughout their two-year term. What form of action could you implement beginning on day one?
AC: Immediately after getting elected Youth Chair I want to hold a Youth Summit and bring together the Chairs of the Teenage, College and Young Republican Chapters along with their state-wide team. There I will strive to get everyone on the same page and work out a plan for the three organizations to work hand-in-hand with one another over the next two years to keep Republicans in office and help make certain Obama is a one term President.
8) Youth Chairs in the past have had high hopes for the office but, arguably, have come up short in terms of substantive achievement. What plans do you have to ensure a successful tenure?
AC: Many Youth Chairs have said that they don’t have the budget to be able to work towards achieving their goals. If elected I will make fundraising a priority and strive to build a budget to help the Republican youth organizations of Michigan be successful through 2012 and beyond.
9) While organizations exist, such as the Michigan Federation of Teenage Republicans, College Republicans, and Young Republicans, communication between them and with State Party has been ineffective. How do you wish to reform this relationship?
AC: I hope to change this through the Youth Summit and will be a strong voice for the youth of our party to State Party. I firmly believe that our party needs to do a better job at recruiting young people and that starts with better communication. The youth of our party cannot just be contacted three weeks out from the general election and asked to help. We need to be in constant contact with them. To help with that I will be putting together a quarterly newsletter on updates from the Youth Chair as well as what is going on in State Party and with our elected officials. In the newsletter I will also include updates from our youth organizations and highlight at a couple chapters per newsletter. If elected I will conduct bi-monthly Listening Sessions with youth leaders, county chairs, grassroots activists and those within State Party.
10) Granted, much can be done to boost engagement of teenagers, collegians, and young adults within the Republican Party. What is your vision for energizing the youth population, i.e. the previously uninvolved sect, in a meaningful manner?
AC: There are numerous things we/I can do to boost engagement. First is to have the Youth Chair do tours of sections of the state and speak to high school college students on the importance of getting involved. When those speaking engagements are scheduled I will strongly encourage our State Representatives and Senators in those areas to come with me as well. I would like to have Regional Directors that will attend events that I cannot make it to and help find key people in each county to work on expanding our youth coalition.
I ask your vote for Youth Chair and together we can usher in a new brand of youth politics to win in 2012.
Nick Kowalski, conservative blogger at The Other Side (https://nicholaskowalski.wordpress.com), can be reached via email – nicholas.kowalski@rocketmail.com – and Twitter (@NKowalski).
Posted by Nicholas Kowalski 
The Other Side 