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In all of the Election Day contests, the candidates get the attention. But where would they be without the army of volunteers who are helping them?
Last week, we introduced you to a couple of first-time candidates and asked them what they learned about running for office. But we realized that's only part of the story. Grassroots American politics is about family, friends, neighbors and strangers who make the campaign work.
On an early morning, dozens braved the cold. No matter the candidate or the party, these people and many like them devote hundreds of hours walking the neighborhoods, setting up signs and making phone calls. They are the volunteers.
"I learned years ago that voting isn't enough, and so I went the delegate route and found out that wasn't enough, and then I just started meeting so many wonderful, incredible people and found out how much fun this was," said Bonnie Despain, volunteer with the Marie Poulson campaign.
Some are lifelong friends. "I think everybody should do it, because how can we complain if we're not part of the process?" said Marcia Cameron, also a with volunteer the Marie Poulson campaign.
Others aren't old enough to vote, so this is a civics lesson. "I've never done anything like this before, and it's fun, and I like it, and I wanna do more," said Max Hoole, volunteer with the Marie Poulson campaign.
By early evening, it's cold again, but enthusiasm is high.
"I've been voting for 47 years, and this is the first time I've ever volunteered. I couldn't resist gettin' out here on the street and havin' some fun," said Len Jenkins, volunteer with the Jaren Davis campaign.
Ellsworth Corum, who is also volunteering with the Jaren Davis campaign said, "We relocated here a few months ago from Seattle, and there's a lot of activity there; and we didn't see it here, and we decided that we needed to be a part of it."
Whether their candidate wins or loses, a number of the volunteers told us this process has not only renewed their faith in the American political system, but they have made new friends -- people they might not otherwise have met.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
