Reflecting on the Time Spent Campaigning This Summer!

It’s been a little over a month since Comfort and I started working with Rob Teplitz’s campaign for State Senate in District 15. Having never worked for a political campaign before, I was unsure of what to expect and a little nervous. Rob is a fantastic candidate and I really wanted to do well. Our campaign managers seemed intimidating at first, but we soon learned that they were easygoing and very excited to have Comfort’s and my assistance with the mountain of research they had before them. At the campaign office we help Victor and Andrea scrutinize lists of names to create a database of potential donors to Rob’s campaign. It’s not the most exhilarating work, but it’s important and it’s gratifying to know that we are helping to build a foundation for this campaign so that it can really take off at the end of the summer. Compiling lists of donors, stuffing and sending out mailers, and helping to prepare for fundraisers and events takes up most of our time here at the office! It can be hectic at times (especially when we lose our Internet connection!), but we always manage to get a great deal of work done to help ease the burden on Victor and Andrea.

Last week we took a break from campaign work and drove to Pittsburgh with Caitlin for a Planned Parenthood visibility event outside of a Mitt Romney fundraiser. We had some issues securing a rental car at the last minute, but the woman at the rental agency really wanted to make sure we got on the road and went out of her way to help us. She must have been a Planned Parenthood supporter since we were all dressed up in our bright pink Women are Watching tee-shirts and sunglasses, with signs to match. In Pittsburgh we got to reunite with our Western PA friends Olivia, Phil, and Rebecca –it was great to see them and catch up on how their summer was going! We walked over to the Romney fundraiser which was held at the Duquesne Club and met another group already protesting the event. They were happy to have us join them and their megaphone helped us shout our women are watching chant throughout the city. The turnout was great, a lot of Planned Parenthood volunteers showed up and we flooded the streets with a sea of pink shirts and signs. One of our volunteers was only 3 years old! It was really exciting to have so many people walk or drive by and voice their support for our cause.

I’m so thrilled to be working with Planned Parenthood this summer. Even though it means working seven days a week and traveling back and forth from Baltimore to Harrisburg, I wouldn’t want to spend my time doing anything else. The decisions that are made this election year are especially significant for women and for anyone who supports Planned Parenthood. Knowing that I am getting involved and trying to make a difference rather than just watching from the sidelines is truly rewarding. My friends are jealous of all the amazing things I’ve gotten to do this summer and are now looking into ways that they can help out themselves. I really want to thank Planned Parenthood for offering me this incredible opportunity to get involved during such a critical time in politics. Thanks especially to Lindsey, Victor, Andrea, Caitlin, and Comfort for all their help this summer. I’m excited to keep moving forward with Rob’s campaign and I can’t wait to see the rest of the interns again in August!

-Mandee, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates in Harrisburg