Beginning with a bit about my background, I graduated from West Point and commissioned as a U.S. Army Aviation Officer in 2014. Serving for eight years as an Apache helicopter pilot, my military career brought me to Afghanistan, Korea, and all over the United States. Now a joint MPP/MBS student at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and HBS, I hope to transition to a career in state-level policymaking in my home state of Connecticut.
This past summer I had the privilege of serving as a state-level campaign intern with New Politics, a nonpartisan organization that provides campaign advisory support to veterans and service-oriented candidates. I was fortunate to work closely with dedicated staff and volunteers on various state and local political campaigns throughout Connecticut. As a former Army officer, I have very little experience with political campaigning. This experience gave me a deep understanding of all aspects of state-level campaigns. My responsibilities included campaign finance planning, field support and voter engagement, campaign communications and press interactions, political relationship and endorsement management, operational support, and general strategy design and implementation.
The most rewarding aspect of this experience was the direct interaction I had with voters. Hearing their concerns and the aspirations they have for their communities was deeply impactful. It highlighted the importance of empathy and genuine representation in political leadership. Through these conversations, I gained invaluable insights into the issues that matter most to the people of Connecticut.
My internship also offered the opportunity to contribute to the strategic aspects of campaign management. My work on campaign finance ensured that financial resources were allocated effectively to maximize outreach and impact. I crafted communication strategies, informed by polling, that would best resonate with voters. I also coordinated endorsements and managed political relationships with both advocacy organizations and other public leaders.
A key goal of my internship was to build personal relationships with candidates and their teams across Connecticut. Beyond the team at New Politics, I was fortunate to connect with numerous candidates, campaign staff, and avid volunteers. These relationships have been instrumental in deepened my understanding of the political landscape in Connecticut.
As an aspiring state legislator, this internship was a critical experience. It genuinely strengthened my appreciation for our democracy and the complexities of political campaigns. It also solidified my determination to work toward improving our democratic institutions and elevating the political voice of underserved communities Connecticut. I am eternally grateful to David Gergen, Annie Trainque, and all the CPL staff that have made this opportunity possible. I couldn’t imagine a more interesting and impactful way to have spent my summer. Thank you!
The David Gergen Summer Fellowship Program supports trailblazing public service and leadership opportunities, enabling a select number of Harvard Kennedy School students to gain meaningful, practical, hands-on experience and develop important networks through summer internships in government or nonprofit service. Learn more about the program here.
The views expressed in the Gergen Fellowship Reflection series are those of the author alone and do not represent the Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School, or Harvard University.