by Jack Griesedieck · February 25, 2015 3:34 PM

This month’s Young Candidate Spotlight features Andrea Campbell, a Boston native who is running for Boston City Council District 4 this year. I had the chance to talk to Andrea and learn a little bit more about her background and her campaign through our Q&A session.

You have a background in Law, what motivated you to make the switch over to politics?

I served as Deputy Legal Counsel for Governor Patrick, who inspired me to pursue public service. I was in a unique position and in an incredible space to observe him in action as a Governor. I was exposed to his values and opinions about the importance of young people being engaged and active in politics, and in particular, candidates of color being in engaged in politics and active in their community. I see politics as one way to give back to my community.

The person who empowered me to run for office is my older brother, who was recently released from prison, and who candidly said to me after a discussion with him about what was next for me in terms of my profession, “Sis, why don’t you run for office? You have such an incredible story, you’re clearly qualified” and “Our kids need you.” It was the first time that I actually sat still for a minute and thought, “Why don’t I think about running for politics to give back to a community that has given me so much?”

I ultimately made the choice after hearing a sermon that said something to the effect of “If you don’t know what your passion is, that’s okay,” and “If you feel like a lot of people are telling you the same thing, that’s probably it, just take the first step.” After that, I decided to take that first step in running for office.

What attracted you to run for City Council?

For me, it is the best way to interact with your neighbors and your community directly. It is a space where you can have an immediate impact on those people, and you know exactly whom you are reaching. Right now I’m doing what I call a listening series, where I’m going around and having one-on-ones with people who live and work in the district. There’s such power in having those intimate connections. You can’t get that at the Federal level, or even at the state level. As a City Councillor, you get to be the conduit between your neighborhood and City Hall.

What are the most pressing issues in your district?

One of the biggest issues in the country, but especially in District 4, is civic and voter engagement, you know, how do we turn out more people to vote and to get them to become more engaged in their communities? Another important issue is access to quality schools. Some schools are doing very well, and some have been marked as failing. We have to look at different solutions to this problem, such as breaking down barriers to access, supporting early education programs, and improving failing schools. Some of the other issues in the district include economics disparity, access to capital and entrepreneurial opportunities, and violence and trauma. We have to start looking at creative ways to address these issues.

What are some of the biggest obstacles that you’ve had to overcome in your political career?

One of the biggest barriers that I’ve encountered is the notion that black people shouldn’t challenge other black people in politics. It has been hard to transcend this idea of identity politics, and to get people to understand that I’m not a black person trying to take out another black person, but rather a qualified person who is running against a sitting incumbent in order to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to address both old and new challenges.

Another challenge I’ve encountered is being a young leader. On the one hand, senior citizens are proud to see one of their own be successful and run for office, but sometimes they feel that young people can’t understand what they’ve been through. I understand the importance of listening to their struggle and heeding their wisdom.

How important is millennial leadership to you?

I wholeheartedly believe that young leadership can increase civic engagement. Young people sporadically turn out to vote, and I have found that when a young person can engage with another young person, it re-energizes them and gives them a reason to show up at the polls because they feel that their issues are understood.  Just listening and paying attention is a big deal to young people.

Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to impart to other young people under 35 considering running for office?

If you feel it in your spirit, and people keep telling you to go ahead and do it, just do it! Take that first step, don’t wait, and there’s “Never a right time.”