Sign of the GOP times: 20-year-old student elected head of Hampden committee
By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News, Maine | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
On Saturday, she was elected chairman of the
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind," Howson, who was not old enough to vote in the last presidential election, said after the Hampden caucus concluded its business. "I didn't think of myself as a political animal until recently."
Saturday's caucus was the first Howson has ever attended.
Most people who attended are people who "get out there and do the grunt work," House Minority Leader
The turnout for the caucus was much smaller Saturday than it was two years ago during the presidential primary and four years ago when seven candidates, including
In 2012, enthusiastic
The 2014 caucus drew a combination of seasoned
A graduate of
The name is built for a generation that lives on social media, styled for engagement on Twitter, Facebook and anywhere else young people congregate online, according to a previously published report. The initiative is a communications effort, a recruitment tool and a way to rally the young people already in the party,
Howson has 12 different news apps on her cellphone and spends much of her free time with people who are interested in politics,
"You can't just blindly follow one news source," she said. "It's not just listening exclusively to those who agree with you. You have to listen to people who disagree with you."
Howson also is active in the college Republican organization on campus but wanted to get involved on the grassroots level in the town where she lives.
"I am one of the most social people out there," she said. "I like talking to people developing relationships with them and showing them what Republican policies are really about."
Howson said that she may not agree with every stance the party takes but feels "the views of the party are most closely in line with my own personal thoughts and values." The newly elected town chair said she was not familiar with the party's position on every issue.
She said the most important issues facing her generation are high student loan debt and the lack of job opportunities after graduation.
Howson said her role models are U.S. Sen.
"It's hard to find women role models," the student said. "I'm so lucky to have them."
Howson was one of more than 200 people who turned out to see and hear Republican candidates running for office. Collins, who is seeking re-election, was greeted warmly by the crowd.
Candidates seeking local offices also attended including
.
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