Patrick Schmitt (COL ‘06) is not the only Hoya that wants to be a Senator one day. What sets him apart is that he is already running for Rhode Island State Senate.
“Patrick is trying to be a giant slayer,” Adjunct Professor Christopher Hull, his Campaigns and Elections teacher said. “He is taking on the minority leader of the Rhode Island Senate.”
His opponent, 14-year Republican incumbent Dennis Algiere, is aware that Schmitt is running, but has not communicated with him, according to Schmitt. Algiere did not return repeated calls.
So far unopposed within his party, Schmitt plans to win the Democratic nomination in September and then run for election in November. If elected, Schmitt would represent the towns of Westerly and Charlestown, R.I., where his family has lived for years.
Though he admits that he does not have any experience in state politics, he believes that his leadership position in STAND and the Save Darfur Coalition will serve him well.
“Patrick has definitely been one of the key leadership figures in bringing together students nationwide regarding the issue of Darfur,” Outreach Coordinator at the Save Darfur Coalition Martha Heinemen (COL ‘05).
Several of Schmitt’s peers have jumped on the campaign trail with him, including College Democrats President Peter Solecki (COL’ 07), his campaign manager.
“Young candidates like him will make government better by applying creative solutions to the problems that our generation will face,” Solecki said.
Schmitt describes his solutions as “innovative.”
“I want to attack area issues like the cost of health care, under funded schools, and property taxes on the wealthy.”
Schmitt says he will need between $15,000 and $20,000 to run a competitive race. Since he is not independently wealthy, his campaign is being funded by contributions from the public and staffed by volunteers like Solecki and others, according to Schmitt.
Some students from Hull’s class have chosen to fulfill their 15 hour internship requirement by volunteering for Schmitt’s campaign, according to Hull.
Schmitt collects money for his effort through his web site, where people can donate as little as five dollars.
“One couple sent me a check for $100, and a note,” Schmitt said. “It read, “It’s our anniversary and we were going to go out to dinner, but we’re giving the money to you and grilling hot dogs instead.’”
He knows it will be tough, but Schmitt believes that with a lot of hard work, he can win.
“It’s a Democratic district with a Republican Senator,” he said. “So if we reach out to people that don’t usually vote, we can definitely win.”
