Originally published on September 17, 2020
鈥淧olitics is a young person鈥檚 opportunity. It鈥檚 a great profession [where you can] work for committed people who try to move the country or your locality forward.鈥 鈥擯rofessional Campaign Manager Mike Henry
That was one of the insights shared on September 15 by longtime campaign manager Mike Henry during his (virtual) appearance as the guest of the second installment of First Tuesday, a series of conversations with political insiders hosted by Robinson Professor of Public Policy聽聽and sponsored by the聽聽and the聽
.
Mike Henry began his political career in the district office of Virginia Senator Chuck Robb (D), a former Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Schar School, and later worked for Virginia State House Democrats. In addition to being a campaign manager for two Virginia senate candidates and three congressional candidates, Henry was also the deputy campaign manager for Hilary Clinton (D) in 2008 and then worked with Virginia鈥檚 Tim Kaine (D) through his races for governor, senator, and vice president.
鈥淚 remember as a young kid watching a black and white television the day Richard Nixon resigned鈥 realized something big was happening,鈥 Henry said of his initial inspiration. 鈥淭hat was the first time I remember being interested in politics.鈥
A campaign manager oversees a broad range of aspects of a candidate鈥檚 run, he said, from managing people, money, and press, to developing and executing strategies to give their candidate the exposure they need.
鈥淲hen I鈥檓 managing a race, I try to take as many decisions off a candidate鈥檚 plate as possible,鈥 Henry said. 鈥淸The candidate has] a lot of different pressures that I don鈥檛 have to worry about.鈥
Looking forward to the 2020 election, Henry noted 鈥渢he dynamic is completely different鈥 in this race compared with President Trump鈥檚 last run for president. 鈥淲henever someone runs for re-election as president, normally [the campaign is] a referendum on their past four years,鈥 he said. This time, not so much.
The First Tuesday series continues Tuesday, September 22 at 9 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. with Rebecca Pearcey, political director for Elizabeth Warren鈥檚 presidential campaign. The events, which are coordinated in conjunction with Pearlstein鈥檚 Honors 131 course, are open to all members of the Mason community.