Clean Candidate Speaks with Students, Ironwood High School, AZ

On April 30th, Arizona State Representative Jackie Thrasher, spoke at Ironwood High School in Glendale, AZ. This event was organized and coordinated by a DM high school fellow, Jenn Robinson. Jenn first contacted all her elected officials to learn their opinions on clean elections. She was pleasantly surprised when she found out that Rep. Jackie Thrasher not only supported clean elections but also ran and won as a clean candidate. Jenn then decided to invite Rep. Thrasher, a former high school teacher, to come and speak at Ironwood High School.

Jenn responded to the following questions so that others DM organizers can successfully organize a similar event.

1.  What was the biggest challenge you faced in organizing this event? What lessons did you learn from these challenges?

The biggest challenged I faced in organizing this event was having the courage to contact many state representatives, like Jackie Thrasher, and other officials asking their opinions of Clean Elections and then asking if they would come speak at our school.  This was difficult because I had no idea what kind of responses I was going to receive since I've never made direct contact with elected officials like that.  It was also a bit of a reality check when I got back emails that totally bashed Clean Elections.  I was under the impression that everyone understood that running clean was a good thing even if they still chose to run traditionally, but I was quite wrong...There were some pretty vulgar replies that made me realize how controversial everything ends up being in politics.  I learned that you just have to take the bad with the good and be persistent and not let others' negativity discourage you.

2.  What were some of the questions that students asked and how did Rep. Thrasher repsond?

After Jackie Thrasher explained her motivation for running for office: the lack of funding for education, there were some students that questioned why so little money was being allotted for their education.  Rep. Thrasher responded by saying that she felt the same way-puzzled by the idea that AZ could be next to last in funding for public education, and that is why she had to do something about it.  Another student asked what political party she was from (as she had been very nonpartisain in her entire speech.) She responded honestly, "Democratic," and an uproar arrose in the young crowd...I asked the question, "How would you respond to people who say that Clean Elections is a violation of peoples' first amendment right to freedom of speech since they are being limited on the amount of money, and therefore support, they can give to a candidate running clean?"  Rep. Thrasher responded by saying that since it is an option to run clean, she doesn't see it as impeding of the right to free speech. 

3.  If someone else wanted to bring an elected official into speak, what suggestions would you give them?

I would tell them to make sure they stay in close contact with that official; email at least once a week to keep reconfirming the date and time since elected officials are such busy people.  I would also make sure that you have everything planned out and organized prior to the official's arrival.  (I had all the classes who were attending the event figured out but I forgot that I needed to have the microphone set up so I had to take about 5 quick minutes to set that up and get decent lighting in our theatre.)  I would also say to make sure you send them a thank you card after they have spoken.  That's always nice...

Jenn Robinson
DM High School Fellow
Ironwood High School, AZ