ND senior heads Meissner campaign
By LIZ KAHLING
News Writer
While most Notre Dame seniors are giving into "senioritis" and letting up in their studies, senior Katherine Bensen-Piscopo is putting in 60 hours per week as campaign manager for Congressional hopeful Mark Meissner.
Bensen-Piscopo thought she was done with politics last summer and stayed in South Bend to work at Lula's Café. But after some supporters came into the café and spoke with Bensen-Piscopo, she was persuaded into meeting and speaking with Meissner. She joined Meissner's staff that summer and by mid-semester last fall she was named campaign manager.
Community activism and politics have always been present in Bensen-Piscopo's life, with grandparents and parents both actively involved in party politics.
"In the second grade I gave all my allowance to a campaign. I guess I didn't know any better," Bensen-Piscopo said.
Soon Bensen-Piscopo wasn't just giving money but also giving her time. In the summer of 1999 she began working for the Washington State Democratic Central Committee as the Development Coordinator. She returned during the fall, winter, spring and the following summer. By the summer of 2001, Bensen-Piscopo wanted to have a somewhat relaxing vacation with a flexible job that would allow her to take time off to travel. She found herself bored, and the opportunity to work for Meissner's office intrigued her.
As campaign manager, Bensen-Piscopo coordinates volunteers, manages lists, coordinates events, communicates with the media and manages the website — the task she is most proud of because she taught herself to create and manage a Web site the past summer.
In addition to these duties, Bensen-Piscopo does a great deal of grassroots campaigning, going door-to-door and accompanying Meissner to speeches and events.
"I try not to speak for Mark and let him represent himself," Bensen-Piscopo said. So too are U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-IN, and U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, D-3rd, where Meissner worked as a regional director and aid respectively. The two representatives chose not to publicly support Meissner until after the May 7 primary so voters may decide for themselves.
"Mark Meissner is the best candidate for the job and will be an excellent representative," Bensen-Piscopo said.
Part of Bensen-Piscopo's motivation in joining Meissner's staff was his commitment to the area. "He is one of the most genuine politicians I've ever met, if not the most. He really cares about people here and has a solid investment in this area," she said.
Besides finishing up exams and looking forward to graduation, Bensen-Piscopo has her eyes set on May 7 as the primary election. She's confident that Meissner will emerge among four other Democrats running and anticipates staying on full-time until the general election in November. However, she will be moving on after the election, hoping to campaign more and travel to other states.
She said, "That's the great thing about politics — there's almost always a job anywhere in the country."
All News Stories for Wednesday, April 10, 2002
