News Staff Reporter
With Democrats hoping to take control of the House and the Senate this November, Choate’s Young Republicans hosted an evening with Robert Russo ’93, Republican candidate for Connecticut State Senate this past Thursday.
The lecture bolstered both Russo’s campaign and also benefited Choate students eager to learn the inner-workings of politics. Said Lily Haydock ’07, Co-President of Young Republicans, “We’re not paying, we’re not a big group of voters, so he’s really coming to educate us.” Russo spoke not only about the specifics of his campaign but also gave insightful background knowledge with little partisan bias, focusing in a general overview of politics rather than issues specific to the Republican party.
The crowd was comprised entirely of Young Republican members along with Ms. Brenner, faculty adviser to the club. Many expressed disappointment at the lack of Young Democrats in attendance. One fifth former present spoke on the absence of Democrats saying, “I’m really surprised that no Democrats came. This was billed as an open discussion and not just for students exclusive to one party.”
Russo began by explaining the conception of his interest in politics, citing his API class, still taught by Mr. Zachary Goodyear, as the vehicle that brought him into politics. “I was always interested in politics, but I think it was Mr. Goodyear’s class that got me thinking about it from an adult point of view.” He also attributes his choice of Georgetown University for college to the API trip to Washington. Russo began interning for Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) as a junior in college. “All I’ve really done besides going to law school is work for politicians,” Russo commented. “I also started a law firm six months ago, but it’s been really neglected since the start of the campaign.”
While on campaign through his district, which included Trumbull, Monroe, and Bridgeport, Russo has been endorsed by the New York Times, a generally liberal paper, a major accomplishment for a Republican. “The Times endorsed me, and I’m a Republican, who saw that coming?” Russo joked regarding his endorsement. “Of the six local races they [The Times] decided to endorse in, they only endorsed two Republicans, one for State Senate and one for the House,” explained Russo.
Russo gave invaluable advice for any aspiring politician in the Choate community. Russo advised against a practice engaged in by many young students discovering what they believe in. “Young people have a tendency to decide they’re one party and then adopt all the views of that party. I can confidently tell you that Republicans are by no means right about everything.” This awareness is integral to any aspiring politician and in the political hotbed that is Choate, perhaps more students should take this advice.
The district Russo is campaigning is likely one of the most challenging to run in. Bridgeport is an urban metropolis, with mostly liberal constituents concerned with improving its quality of life. In contrast, Monroe is a bucolic town far from resembling a city, and Trumbull is very suburban, but Russo must somehow appeal to residents of each. Russo ran in 2004, but lost to his opponent, Bill Finch. Now he says he has learned more about politics and is ready to take on Finch again. “Politics, at its most natural level, is a study of human relations,” he says.
The main issue Russo is running on include making Connecticut cheaper to live in, as well as improving public education and getting rid of Connecticut’s car tax. The issue most important to Russo is the cost of living in Connecticut. “..It’s way too expensive and people are leaving by the droves…People can’t start their families where they grew up.” Russo also cited a frightening fact: “…Between 1994 and 2004, the population in the state of Connecticut between the ages of 20 and 34 shrunk by 25 percent…Young people are leaving and not moving here.” This staggering exodus from Connecticut to cheaper places where it is easier to start a business like North Caroline is damaging to the state’s economy as well as upsetting to those who cannot live in their hometowns anymore because of skyrocketing prices and taxes.
Russo’s speech was a treat for Choate students and Young Republicans aike, offering insider’s view into an intricate profession that seems easy to pinpoint on the surface but complex beneath. Zach Remsen ’07, Co-President of Young Republicans with Haydock, said, “I think having a speaker come on his own accord will raise more awareness and excitement for the club.”
Russo ended his lecture by offering the Young Republicans the opportunity to expeience first hand the excitement and stress of Election Day by extending the offer to make phone calls, wave signs, and do whatever else necessary to help Russo get last minute votes. Haydock summarized the event perfectly: “Having Mr. Russo come was a wonderful experience for the Young Republicans. He gave us a vivid description of his campaigning and expressed great enthusiasm to our club.”
