Thomas Nelson, a second-year graduate student in the Wilson School, has set his sights on a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly come November 2004.
Nelson, who used to stand on a cardboard box podium as a young boy and pretend he was Jimmy Carter, said he has always been interested in running for political office.
In his youth, Nelson used to go door-to-door to gather support for a church his father started. Now for his campaign he hopes to raise money by calling friends, classmates and family members.
Nelson, who was born in Minnesota but raised near Green Bay, said his platform centers on improving Wisconsin's economy.
Though he acknowledges that state funds are scarce, he does not want to drastically cut spending on education or neighborhood protection.
"I don't think we need to put our public schools, fire and police protection on the chopping block," Nelson said.
Two of Nelson's friends and classmates plan to join his campaign team. Elizabeth Johnson and Thomas Clifford, also second-year MPA students in the Wilson School, are supporting Nelson's efforts. Clifford is giving his support because "he's a good friend" and Johnson because "she's my roommate, and she has to," Nelson said in an email.
"Seriously, my classmates have been extremely supportive, offering encouragement and help," Nelson said. "I'm very grateful of their generosity and that of my family, friends, and neighbors back home."
One challenge Nelson will face is that he will be running as a Lutheran in a district with a Catholic majority.
When former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo spoke at the Wilson School last Thursday, Nelson asked him for advice on confronting the issue. Cuomo, a Catholic, faced a similar situation in his bid for governor.
His religious affiliation is "but one of many dynamics in this campaign or in any other for that matter," Cuomo said.
The Wilson School has offered him a comprehensive education in public policy, Nelson said. His other work experience, from mowing lawns to bussing tables at a restaurant, has provided him with a real-world background that complements his two years of public policy studies, he added.
Next week, he plans to travel to Uganda, Nigeria and India to conduct field research for his policy workshop on importing inexpensive medicine to developing countries.
Nelson's advice to students interested in running for public office is simply to just "do it."
"Don't second guess," Nelson said, "don't put it off, don't think you're too young and don't even try to convince yourself that you can't make a difference."
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