Smith College student Katherine Patrick knows a thing or two about canvassing. As the Student Outreach Coordinator for Deval Patrick’s re-election campaign, she’s spent countless hours getting students and Massachusetts citizens alike to put their name down and get their butts to the polls. But the man she’s passing out signs for is also the man she calls “Dad,” and after years of watching Governor Patrick’s politics, she’s finally put herself out there to get her peers to make their voices heard and her dad re-elected. Katherine talked with The Quad after speaking to BU College Democrats last Thursday, and shed some light on her political motivations.
Quad: Why is it so important for students to get out and vote?
Katherine Patrick: I think because it’s the Massachusetts that we’re going to be left with, it’s important that we’re making the decisions and we’re making sure that it’s a good Massachusetts what we’re left with, one that represents our values. That’s not for a different generation to decide for us. I think it’s important with, something that my dad calls “Generational Responsibility,” which is showing younger kids that we’re able to get out and vote and it’s still important to us, so hopefully it will become this big movement where everybody votes and everybody understands that they’re an equal citizen.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done campaigning for your dad?
Oh my god. I don’t even know. I’m trying to think! I try to keep it pretty together, because anybody could pick up anything. But I think the craziest thing is that I’m actually out there. Before this, I was so disconnected from politics. In my personal life with my parents, I knew what was going on, but I’d never been on a political campaign before, and it just sort of hit me. I’m out there screaming with my bright green t-shirt and my sign, and that’s crazy enough for me.
What issues are most important to you?
For me, first and foremost it’s marriage equality. Obviously, I’m a lesbian and I came out a couple years ago, and I think it’s so beautiful, so amazing that my father fought for my right to have an equal marriage before he knew I was gay. So that’s super-important to me. Educational reform is also important to me. My father is always talking about how education changed his life, so I’m excited that many other youths will be able to experience that too.
What sort of platform issues that your dad advocates should students be aware of?
Oh man, everything. There are some youth-specific things, but I think it’s important for us to know what’s going on: healthcare and jobs. Some of us will be looking for jobs when we graduate in a couple years and some in a couple months! Educational reform, again, environmental issues. There’s not one that I can nail down. I think everything is pretty important.
How can students get involved with the Deval Patrick campaign?
Oh, there are so many ways. First, they can register to vote in Massachusetts. They are here nine months out of the year, it’s important they have a say. Then, they can email me at kpatrick@devalpatrick.com and we can sign them up to organize and get them talking to their friends and family. They can hold a sign, they can sport a bumper sticker and t-shirt, they can do anything that they possibly can. Just send me an email, and I will give them a job!
