Daily Iowan

Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Metro

While most UI students are planning for spring break, political-science and finance major Matt Pfaltzgraf is strategizing for his political campaign.

And it's not a UI Student Government position the 23-year-old Democrat has set his sights on. Rather, it's the state-representative seat from Ankeny, which is his hometown. Though his campaign is still in its early stages, he said meetings regarding fundraising and strategy are already taking up much of his time.

"Some people have brought my age up, but not many," he said. "A lot of older people are excited to see a young person get involved."

Seeking elected office at Pfaltzgraf's age has unique benefits and drawbacks, said David Redlawsk, a UI associate professor of political science.

"Some voters may think he's too young and not experienced enough, but others will probably say he'll be able to bring a fresh, new perspective," Redlawsk said. "But what anyone running for office wants is for people to pay attention, and his youth will probably help with that."

When anyone asks him about his age, Pfaltzgraf said he stresses the experience he's accumulated through his involvement with politics thus far, which stretches back to his high-school years.

During his junior year he served as the only high-school intern for then Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. Later, he spent 10 weeks interning in Washington, D.C., for Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa.

Pfaltzgraf then spent the summer of 2007 in the Iowa Attorney General's Office, working with the consumer-protection division. Currently, he serves as the UI Student Government's state government-relations liaison, representing the UI students for the Iowa Legislature.

If elected, the 23-year-old would be the Iowa House's youngest member, but not by much.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, holds that title. Though he's 24 now, he was only 22 when elected.

"Being the House's youngest member was pretty intimidating at first, but no one gave me any problems," he said. "A lot of people see that young representatives bring a unique perspective - we're focused on our future and our children's future in the state."

Despite his deep-seated interest in the political process, Pfaltzgraf said, he didn't initially foresee running for office so early in life. However, he decided to throw his hat into the ring when he learned Ankeny's current state representative isn't seeking re-election.

Since gaining the support of the Iowa Democratic Party and the Ankeny Area Democrats, the UI student has been spending about four days a week in Ankeny, talking with community members and working to gain their support. His primary campaign issue is managing Ankeny's rapid population growth, specifically in securing sufficient funds to support the city's quickly expanding school system.

"We need to maintain Ankeny as a place you can raise a family," Pfaltzgraf said. "I really want to be active on this and make sure my family grows up in a good place."

E-mail DI reporter Christopher Patton at:

chris-patton@uiowa.edu

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