ASU College Republicans hosted Republican state Sen. Kate Brophy McGee Wednesday night to speak about how she got involved in politics, her passions in her work, Senate elections and ways students can begin their political careers.
Jeremiah Willett, a senior studying political science and president of College Republicans, said inviting those who work in the Legislature to speak to students allows the club to give students an insider view.
"It's a good way for students to hear about things," Willett said. "They get to work with fellow legislators and make connections with them."
Representing Legislative District 28 in her second term in the Senate, Brophy McGee is spirited about fighting for education and the children of Arizona.
Brophy McGee, who served on the Washington Elementary School Board prior to her position in the Legislature, began by speaking about the 2016 Arizona Senate elections, introducing the topic with, "education is always the hotspot."
Her care for children and their education is what led her to get herself involved in school systems and eventually public service.
"I got very active about something I cared about," Brophy McGee said. "I wanted all of the kids in the Washington School District to have good schools."
When asked by a student about how she represents her district, Brophy McGee said she does what she thinks is right for the district.
"I have to believe that it is the right thing to do," she said. "I know my district very well. I try very hard to not to take advantage of the fact that I am a key vote."
Brophy McGee spoke about how easy it is for people to think negatively of her political party due to the national political polarization. Her goal, Brophy McGee said, is to be a caring Republican who can accomplish things not just for her district but for the entire state.
The senator briefly mentioned President Donald Trump, stating that even though "you may not like him, we are still living with the policies that (he is) implementing."
When another student asked about how students can change the political dynamic, Brophy McGee said finding more students and getting them out into the community can be beneficial.
She discussed how students looking into starting their political careers can get involved with her district, especially because of her upcoming 2020 campaign.
Joseph Pitts, a freshman studying global politics and vice president of College Republicans, said it was an honor to host Brophy McGee and that the group is ecstatic about the 2020 election.
"In order to keep the state Legislature in 2020, the next generation of leaders need to know how to win," Pitts said. "It begins with dedicated servant leaders like Kate who know how to maintain dialogue across the aisle without compromising their sincerely held beliefs."
"Kate Brophy McGee" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.
Reach the reporter at nnano@asu.edu and follow @halentinos on Twitter.
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