How to Get Elected Before You Are 30

Featuring successful politicians, former politicians and political operatives, this workshop is designed to offer real-world early career advice to students looking to run for public office. The workshop is free and open to students of any major. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. 

Keynote Speaker: Adam Kwasman, 9-10 a.m.

Kwasman was born and raised in Tuscon, Arizona. He earned his Bachelor's degree (Cum Laude) from Tulane University and a master's degree in Economics from George Mason University. Kwasman worked at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies and interned on Capitol Hill for former Congressman Jim Kolbe. He also worked in the United Kingdom for the RAND Corporation, assisting in their research of Islamic terrorism while studying at the Institute for Economics and Politics, a study abroad program in Cambridge, England. In 2009, Kwasman founded his own economic consulting firm advising both private companies and political clients.

Panel on Running a Campaign, 10:10-11 a.m.

Juan Mendez: Juan Mendez is a first generation American and a native Arizonan. Having lived across Maricopa County he attended Tolleson Union High School, received his associate degree from Phoenix College, then graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Justice Studies from ASU. He has held various offices and positions as an elected Precinct and State Committee Member, Chair of the Resolutions Committee on the state level, President of the ASU Young Democrats, Treasurer and Secretary at the district level, and as a Field Organizer helping to turn out Democratic voters and elect progressive Democrats.

Randy Keating : Randy Keating is a Tempe City Council candidate who is a long-time Tempean, small business owner, and respected leader in many community and civic circles. Keating was awarded the Martin Luther King Diversity Award with 17 letters of support for his nomination and is one of the youngest candidates to run for the Tempe City Council.

Paul Boyer: Paul Boyer represents legislative district 20, which include much of Glendale and parts of North Phoenix. Previously, he was an official spokesman and policy advisor for House Majority at the State Capitol for three years, the legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Corrections for three years and the Supervisor of District Communications for Mesa Public Schools, the largest school district in the state. He is a consistent advocate for common sense conservative principles: life, education, public safety, job creation and economic development. Rep. Boyer is the Vice-Chair of the House Health Committee and is a member of the House Appropriations, Education and Joint Legislative Audit Committees.

Martin Sepulveda: Martin Sepulveda was a 2012 Congressional Candidate for Arizona District 9. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Arizona State University in 1983. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and subsequently earned a commission in the US Navy. He joined the Executive Board of the East Valley Partnership in 1993 and has served on the board as Secretary and Vice Chair. He currently serves as an Ex Officio member. Additionally, he is the Vice President of the Chandler Historical Society, a life member of the Arizona State University Alumni Association and the Varsity A Association. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley and the Chandler Education Foundation.

Len Munsil: Len Munsil is the 6th President of Arizona Christian University, a regionally accredited non-denominational Christian liberal arts university in Phoenix, Arizona founded in 1960. Munsil is a third-generation Arizonan and has an accomplished record as a public policy expert, a conservative organizational entrepreneur, a lawyer, a journalist, an educator and a writer. He served as an Adjunct Professor and member of the Board of Trustees at ACU, then known as Southwestern College, beginning in 1994.

Fundamentals of Running a Campaign, 11:10 a.m.-noon

J.P. Twist: Current Senior Advisor for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and former Ducey campaign manager. Twist was also the Chief of Staff for the City of Scottsdale and was the campaign manager for Congressman Paul Gosar.

Daniel Scarpinato: Current Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications for Gov. Ducey. Scarpinato formerly served as national press secretary for the national republican congressional committee.