Lori’s Story: How to be a “Happy Warrior” in Local Politics

“I have never not been interested in politics,” said Lori Horn who has been active in politics since the age of 19. Lori Horn of Centennial, Colorado describes herself as a homemaker and political activist. Though she often works to help people with their campaigns and has worked as a consultant, politics is not a full-time career for her. She is often called upon to help people start their campaigns and uses American Majority’s information when called upon to be a campaign manager.“I hope to steal your best ideas!” Lori told me during our interview. Lori attended an American Majority New Leaders Candidate Training and American Majority Activist Training in 2012. She has a particular interest in her local school board and believes more people should take up that interest. “Social issues are not as important as the choices made in education,” said Lori. “School positions are overworked and underpaid, and that’s often overlooked.” Her work in her community began when she and a group of her peers formed the R Block Party for the purpose of seeking out and electing conservative leadership in the locality. They had an R Block Party North and South, with almost 100 people per delegate. “We were very organized,” said Lori. “We talked to people and trained them to run.” Lori is motivated by the hope that the party can reflect her values and principles.  “There’s always another election cycle and so much to guard against,” Lori said. “And there are people who need to know how to get involved.” She ran for state chair in 2013 unsuccessfully. However, she currently works with her state chairman and hopes to run for office again in the future. Lori appreciates all that American Majority has to offer, especially the guides and workbooks. “We relied on American Majority to show people what good campaigning looks like” said Lori. “American Majority is doing so much good in ways they don’t know.” “It [campaigning] is a lot more work than you think it is,” Lori said. “You have to get your family on board. If not, you lose your candidate pretty quickly.” Lori believes that the most satisfying part of her work in the campaign field is when others thank her for showing them the importance of local politics. As satisfying as it is to see her candidates win, Lori finds greatest satisfaction in getting people involved. “I also think it’s important to be a happy warrior,” Lori concluded. “The days of the happy politician are gone and we need that ideal of the politician again.”