Amanda Randall has been involved in politics since age 13. For five of those years she's been active in the Teen Age Republicans, a group affiliated with the Republican Party that is dedicated to getting young people involved in the political process. She has held several positions in TARS, most recently as state chair, where she's been in charge of recruiting and leadership.

Amanda became involved in politics in 2002, when John Thune ran unsuccessfully against Tim Johnson for the U.S. Senate, losing by only 524 votes. Since then, politics have been a huge part of her life, including working on Thune's successful campaign against Tom Daschle for the Senate in 2004. This fall Amanda plans to study nursing at Presentation College in Aberdeen.

According to Rock the Vote, this is the first year that the leading Democratic candidates have all had directors in charge of youth outreach. What do you think has changed to allow young people to feel part of the process?


I think the Democrats see that the Republicans have always had a very strong Teen Age Republican (organization) across the nation and in the states. We've also had really strong college Republicans, and now I think they see that it works to get younger people involved. Younger people may not be able to vote, but they can still go knock on doors, hold signs and convince people to vote for a candidate.

What has been the best response you've gotten to your political work?


I've been complimented a lot on my work ethic and how hard I do work. And if I start something I always put a 110 percent into it and I always do it to the best of my ability and I always finish the job.


Have you made any mistakes?


Maybe a mistake I have made is not always asking people to help and just doing things on my own. Not getting people involved as much as I should've would probably be the biggest, now that I think about it.


What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?

I would say talk to your chairman of your county and of your party and find out from them if there is a TARs organization around. If not, try and find one on the state level or talk to your state chairman and get involved that way. Another good way to get involved is helping in a campaign. If you help a candidate and they get elected, you're going to go a lot further because they'll help you.

 

If you could pass any piece of legislation, what issue would it be about and what would you be trying to change?

The legislation that I would try to pass would be a bill to end all abortions. I am very, very pro life, and I believe that since abortion has become legal in the United States, it has just evolved into more problems.