Some people will do just about anything to get themselves elected. And some people, such as campaign manager Megan Hughes, will do just about anything to get someone else elected.
Hughes, a senior advertising major who coordinated this year’s campaign for ASUO Executive candidates Adam Petkun and Mena Ravassipour, has been involved in successful ASUO campaigns since her freshman year. Hughes was also on board for Nilda Brooklyn and Joy Nair’s campaign in 2001, Rachel Pilliod and Ben Buzbee’s campaign in 2002, and Maddy Melton and Eddy Morales’ campaign this past year.
So far, she’s 4-0.
And sometimes, the going was tough. Hughes described the lengths she went to in order to get Pilliod and Buzbee elected as ASUO president and vice president.
“I would run around in a gorilla suit for three hours a day,” she said, describing the unusual campaign tactics.
Hughes got her start in ASUO politics as a legislative intern her freshman year. She said she felt “privileged” when she was asked to work for the Brooklyn-Nair campaign and served as a part of the core group.
“You want to make sure someone responsible gets elected,” Hughes said. “It’s something (that) fulfilled my goals for the year to make students aware of issues on campus.”
During her sophomore year, Hughes worked as co-manager on the Pilliod-Buzbee campaign. Pilliod was her roommate and one of her best friends at the time. Hughes and Pilliod met in the ASUO as freshmen when both served as interns. Together with fellow ASUO intern Sandy Newton, the three were recognized as rising stars and were dubbed “superstar interns” within the ASUO, Hughes said. The three ended up rooming together the year Pilliod ran for executive.
Last year, Hughes worked as a co-organizer for ASUO President Melton and Vice President Morales’ campaign. When Melton and Morales won the primary with a slim 19-vote margin, Hughes heavily involved herself to secure the general election victory.
In spite of her perfect record, Hughes wasn’t initially planning to work on a campaign this year.
“I was very hesitant when Adam (Petkun) approached me,” she said.
Hughes feared the campaign would get in the way of her hectic class schedule, but in the end, she chose to make the commitment.
“I’m so far behind in classes it’s ridiculous,” she said. “(But) it was important for me to see Adam and Mena get elected … because I know they’ll do a phenomenal job.”
Petkun selected Hughes for the job because of her extensive experience and limitless energy.
“When you’re feeling tired, she’s still
going,” he said.
ASUO Accounting Coordinator Jennifer Creighton-Neiwert said it is Hughes’ personality that makes her a successful campaign manager.
“She’s very friendly and open to everybody,” Creighton-Neiwert said.
Ravassipour describes Hughes as “creative and bold.”
“You need someone who has a broader vision, which she has,” Ravassipour added.
Hughes celebrated the day Petkun and Ravassipour were elected, but says she was disappointed by the low voter turnout, which was less than 10 percent.
“Voter apathy is ridiculous,” Hughes said, adding that students’ lack of interest in local politics
frustrates her.
Hughes said she hopes students will become more aware of local politics.
“It’s super sexy to vote in a presidential election,” she said. “But what happens when a ballot initiative needs to be passed in Lane County?”