My Q&A with Brien Buckman, a UConn sophomore and candidate for state rep. for the 54th district of Connecticut, ran in the Daily Campus today. During the course of our discussion, Buckman said something particularly interesting. When asked what he would say to other UConn students running for political office, he said the following:
I know at least two University of Connecticut students who are running for office in their hometowns and I would absolutely encourage them to do so, especially when we have new problems in our state system that require a new type of thinking…
I always knew that Peter Tesei, first selectman and UConn alum (Class of 1991), served on the RTM when he was 18. A few months ago, I read in the Greenwich Time that Harris Davidson, a Greenwich resident, was elected to RTM in 2008 to fill a vacant seat prior to starting his freshman year of college in D.C.. But I wasn’t aware that three Huskies this year were running for public office.
So, what does that mean for candidates who are college students and their (future?) constituents?
One common criticism of the Buckman campaign as reported in the Daily Campus is the fact that Buckman lacks experience in politics, though in my Q&A Buckman said that he has worked in the state attorney’s office and with legislators and legislative liaisons. Others have wondered how Buckman could balance his studies while still having time to listen and respond to constituent concerns. In response, Buckman has said that he would take spring semesters off (when the state reps. meet in Hartford) so he could fully concentrate on politics.
Here’s my question to you out there in the blogosphere: how do you feel about college students running for political office? Do you believe that they provide new ideas that might solve old problems or do you believe that their limited experience with politics may hinder their political goals? Do you think that college students can both study and represent their neighbors?
One quick note: Buckman is running for state government. Davidson and Tesei served in the local government as college students.
