Andrea’s Story: Virginia Campaign Manager on Creating Leaders Who Listen

Currently working as the campaign manager for a Virginia state delegate, Andrea Raffle aims high; her goals this year include winning a primary and general election and working on a presidential campaign.

“My motivation to work in politics comes from the idea of the public servant,” Andrea told American Majority in an exclusive interview.

Andrea attended American Majority’s Activism Boot Camp at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) in Washington, D.C. in February this year. She sat in on both the activism and campaign training tracks, with a special interest in the social media and GOTV trainings. She credits American Majority for teaching her the value of personal interaction with voters by such means as door-to-door campaigning and personal meetings, and supports American Majority CEO Ned Ryun’s work in equipping people with the skills they will need to run for office.

She is curious as to the psychology behind voter tendencies and wants to know what issues the populace cares about and how their affections are won by candidates. Since her teen years, Andrea has been a campaign enthusiast. Her career in the political arena began in earnest near the end of her undergraduate years when she was asked to serve as the campaign manager for House Delegate Mark Berg.

As a recent graduate of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., Andrea is concerned with political issues relating to the economy, the availability of jobs, and the national debt. “These issues will have a huge impact on college graduates my age,” said Andrea.

It is one of her primary desires to facilitate conversation between political factions. “Conservatives are in agreement on most major issues, but if nobody comes together for the general elections, it will do us harm,” Andrea said.

Regarding the attitude many conservatives hold toward each other, Andrea quotes Ronald Reagan who reminded the nation that: “My 80-percent friend is not my 20-percent enemy.”

Andrea believes that conservative factions are missing a huge opportunity to unite forces over the issues they agree on. She believes that if conservatives, Republicans, Libertarians, and other factions with similar interests join forces around common stances, they could make for an indomitable force — the results of which could be hugely effective in turning the nation’s political tide.

Andrea chooses which candidates to support based on her belief in leaders who listen to and interact with their constituency.

“Politicians are very good at talking,” Andrea said, “but there needs to be more listening.”

For Andrea, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the excitement of people who have put time and energy into rallies, canvassing, and networking, and their enthusiasm in working to support candidates and principles they believe in. “I love seeing their faces,”  she said

Andrea believes that American citizens care about their country and lifestyle enough to be involved in politics, and is pleased when that interest is awoken through the work of dedicated people reaching out to their community.

“Too many people in politics spend too much time talking,” said Andrea, “The public wants leaders who are willing to listen, who are open to new ideas, and willing to receive input.”