An internship in Politics By Ben Barrett Have you ever wondered what all Virginia Politicians do when they’re out of session? Do Virginia Politicians work part time and only two months out of the year? During my Senior Internship with David Bailey Associates I experienced more than I could ask for, with the Special Session that included the heated debate over Medicaid Expansion in the Old Dominion, I saw the government come close to a shut down and Virginia not have a state budget for 2015. I was able to see and experience the campaign side of politics first hand from the many breakfasts for different senators and delegates. Most believe that once the election is over the campaign is done, but for an elected official in Virginia you are always on the campaign trail. There were two experiences that really stood out for me during my internship; the initial experience was during my first week. Mr. Bailey invited me to the Sorenson Institute of Future Political Leaders alumni spring gala. It was at this black tie event where I was able to meet many delegates, senators, Supreme Court justices and The Terry McAuliffe. The other experience came later in my internship when I had the honor to shadow a great Virginian Delegate Riley Ingram from Virginia’s 62nd district. On Saturday July 19th, Delegate Ingram and I started our day Delegate Riley Ingram and Ben Barrett. at the Chesterfield Circuit Clerk firehouse Republican primary at about being a great public speaker and a figurehead from listening to Thomas Dale High School where we met and greeted his constituents the two great speakers, House Majority Leader Delegate Kirk Cox in Chester, VA. It was there that I got to see campaigning through and Delegate Riley Ingram. the eyes of a delegate. Delegate Ingram showed me just why he is I could not have asked for a better senior internship. I learned such a popular delegate and why he has been in the general assembly so many things and couldn’t have asked for better mentors than Mr. for over twenty years; he cares about the people he represents. He Bailey and Delegate Riley Ingram. They showed me what I have to is proud and honored to represent the people in the 62nd district of do be become a great leader and succeed in my goals of one day Virginia. He told me about the different things he has done to help becoming a politician for the great Commonwealth of Virginia. his continuants in their time of need. I also saw first hand as Delegate Thank You, David Bailey, Kristen Bailey-Hardy, Delegate Riley Ingram met with and talked to every person that went to vote and if Ingram, and Pat Bennett for teaching me and letting me have one of any person wanted to talk about an issue he was more than happy the greatest summer of my life. to talk and discuss the issue right there. After the primary, Delegate Ingram and I attended the Prince George and Hopewell Republican Ben Barrett, a history major, is a senior at Bluefield College, Party rally in Hopewell, VA. It was there I was able to hear and learn Bluefield, VA.V

Governor McAuliffe and His Cabinet

Front Row: , , , , Suzette Denslow, , , Molly Ward, John Harvey Back Row: , , , Paul Reagan, Governor Terry McAuliffe, , — https://governor.virginia.gov/cabinet/

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