On The Record: Amber Moon

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with Amber Moon, Communications Director for the Texas Democratic Party.

How did you get started in politics? Did you come to it in your youth or later on?

I went to the University of Houston, where I started out as a math major. But I took a required political science class for the Honors College, and I found myself so engrossed in the discussion and debate that I changed my major. My very first political assignment was an internship working on Ken Bentsen’s 2000 congressional reelection campaign. From there, I went on to work in Congressman Bentsen’s Washington, DC office, where I was hooked.

What was your personal progression from the role of activist to the role of Communications Director for the Texas Democratic Party?

When Ken Bentsen announced for Senate the next year, I joined the campaign, where our Communications Director took me under his wing. I found press to be a good fit, and every job I’ve had since, from Capitol Hill to campaigning, has been a political communications position.

What would you say are the primary Democratic issues are concerning Texas?

There are many problems middle-class Texans are struggling with, like health care & medical insurance, public education, the cost of college and high utility bills. A lot of the issues I see my own family and friends facing every day are simply not being addressed by our current government. Austin is run by Republicans, and they’re serving the special interest donors who already have the money, while the voices everyday Texans are being ignored. Special interests are not what the government is for, or should be, about.

Do you have any ambition for higher office? Do you have plans to run for any other party office, or possibly even public office?

I used to think I did want to run for office, but I also have fun being behind the scenes and developing the strategy to win races. However, I wouldn’t rule it out if the right position comes along and if it’s a good fit for me personally. We need more young, qualified people to run. Good candidates are the future of the Democratic Party.

Who are some of your political heroes?

My favorite president is Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a real leader in a time of national crisis and significantly changed the role government plays in peoples’ lives. I’ve been to the FDR Memorial in Washington a million times, and every time, I’m taken aback by his vision and what he accomplished for the people of America.

Also, I was working at the DCCC when redistricting took place, and being so far from home, I was especially proud of all of the Texas Democrats who fought against it -- the Texas Legislators who left the state to break quorum, the Democrats in our congressional delegation who refused to back down and continued to run hard re-election campaigns despite Tom DeLay. The bravery of those Democrats made me really proud to be from Lone Star State.

What advice would you give to young people just getting into politics?

Since I arrived back in Texas in December of 2005, I have seen a lot of progress for the Democratic Party in our state. I’m a firm believer in party unity. We can’t win if we don’t work together. We have a lot of opportunity heading into 2008 and beyond to get Democrats elected, and we need every volunteer, county chair, and elected official in every county mobilized to make it happen.

Young people in politics also need to be reminded that you win some, and you lose some. Politics is full of ups and downs and excitement and disappointment, but stick with it and don’t let things discourage you too much or make you cynical. Always keep in mind what you’re working towards.