Reimagining Campaign Beginnings: Navigating Rites of Passage in the Pandemic Era

For Alejandra Escobar, her debut as a field organizer for the Nebraska Democratic Party meant envisioning face-to-face interactions with voters. Little did she anticipate being confined to a dimly lit basement with unreliable Wi-Fi. When connectivity wavers, she retreats to the familiarity of her childhood bedroom or the kitchen table.

22-year-old Escobar, a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska Omaha, dedicates her efforts to Kara Eastman’s Democratic candidacy in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. Despite the challenges, she orchestrates socially distanced events like “walk and greet” sessions and parking lot parties, adapting to the virtual realm to engage volunteers nationwide.

Yet, amidst the digital frontier, a sense of loss persists—the absence of traditional rites of passage synonymous with campaign initiation.

In the era of COVID-19, the campaign landscape has morphed, swapping out door-to-door canvassing and sleepless nights in battleground states for virtual endeavors and mass Zoom gatherings.

Ben Wessel, now executive director of NextGen America, reminisces about his grassroots days in President Obama’s 2012 campaign. Back then, the focus was on physical outreach; today, it’s about leveraging social media and personal networks.

While digital platforms offer reach, they lack the hands-on training pivotal for budding politicos. Traditionally, political boot camps equipped young organizers with skills and connections, but the pandemic has disrupted this immersive learning.

Jalen Johnson, 21, navigates his first presidential campaign with the Trump team, relying on digital tools for tasks like media monitoring and content creation. For Johnson, safeguarding health amidst the pandemic is paramount, driven by its disproportionate impact on Black communities.

Beyond experience, campaign jobs foster invaluable connections—both professional and personal. Despite the challenges, the allure of political engagement persists, as seen in Nora Salitan and Chie Xu’s decision to join the fray in New Hampshire, setting up a makeshift field office to foster community amidst virtual fatigue.

In these unprecedented times, optimism prevails among young operatives. Claire Goldberg, inspired by her past campaign experiences, embraces digital communications for the DC Democratic Party, leveraging the accessibility of virtual platforms to amplify engagement.

While the pandemic has reshaped the campaign landscape, it hasn’t dampened the spirit of those dedicated to effecting change, albeit through a different lens.