On The Record: Michael Apodaca

For this installment of On The Record, I spoke with Michael Apodaca, President of the Texas Young Democrats.

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

I started when I joined the University of New Mexico College Democrats in college; I then moved back to El Paso to attend University of Texas at El Paso and found no group in El Paso County. I began to volunteer locally and became involved in rechartering the El Paso Young Democrats. I have been involved mainly out of my own interest.

What was your personal progression from the role of activist to your current role as President of TYD?

It started when I came back to El Paso and noticed that there was not a strong organization in the area. I found some potholes in the Young Democrats, and some roads that needed to be paved. When I leave in April, hopefully, I will have helped the organization become stronger.

What would you say are the primary issues concerning El Paso?

El Paso is an amazing place; it is the crossroads for the Southwest. It has a large poor population, so high property taxes are a huge issue. Many areas here depended on the Robin Hood program, and I'm curious to see what happens to the quality of schools locally.

Health care is another issue for the area. When CHIP's funding was cut, it left thousands of our local children without health care.

How do local politics affect your family?

My family has never been very involved in politics, but they support my decision to stay active. They have recently become more interested in the issues in local area races. They are very supportive of my decision to be involved, though.

How do state politics affect your neighborhood?

El Paso is always treated like the red headed step-child of Texas, and I think distance from Austin is part of that. The medical school has been a source of tension when it comes to local and statewide politics. There was progress made on it up until ten years ago when Republican leaders came to office. They would promise votes on it but they would lead to nothing. The Republican leaders stated it would be in our best interest to vote for the malpractice cap in 2003, and that El Paso would get money when it was under control. El Paso voted for the cap and never received money. There were too many promises which weren't kept by Republican leaders. The area continues to vote mostly Democratic.

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 do have plans to run for public office eventually. Something like County Chair in the party, and then possibly City Councilman or State Representative. I'd like to continue as SDEC Committeeman from SD 29.

Who are some of your political heroes?

Sam Rayburn; I use his quotes a lot. On a local level, Senator Shapleigh is an amazing inspiration. He is a leader who knows what it takes to win in the face of defeat. He is liberal and made progress in our community; he has done a lot of good for our city. He is an official I would like to learn from.

What would you say has been the single most defining moment in your political life?

In 2000, I volunteered on Election Day and took an elderly lady to vote for the first time in her life. I realized that it was one of the reasons she became a citizen. Young people take this privilege for granted and I realized the people who never had the right to vote, want it. On the other hand, the people who have it don't use it.

What are you looking forward to in the coming cycle?

The end of the Bush administration. I can't believe it's been 8 years. The first administration was never really elected in the first place in 2000. In 2008, I'm looking to see how Texas Democrats will advance. I'm looking forward to not having Bush on the ticket and gaining more House seats. The new TDP VAN system is ready and I can't wait to see what a difference it can make.

What would you say the political breakdown of your family is? Is it mostly Democratic or are you somewhat unique?

Pretty much Democratic, but they haven't been involved until recently. No Democratic issue I've brought up has been challenged. My aunt in California is a Jehovah's Witness, which is typically a conservative religion, but she votes Democratic in support of immigration issues.

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

Be patient. Young people are turned off because of bickering and fighting by the more seasoned Democrats. I say work hard and there will be a turn for you to take the spotlight. Never lose enthusiasm for your cause.

Have you ever wanted to work professionally in politics?

I have considered opening a consulting firm with my friends in El Paso but I have yet to find the market.

I would like to work with elected officials on policy to gain more experience and knowledge in the field of how things specifically work.

What one thing would you say a political organization never has enough of?

Money. The Young Democrats, specifically, have more projects they need and want to do, but it comes down to the resources to get them done. We would like for the website to be done professionally; for now I had to make it as good as I could. There is a lot of information there, and access to many different types of resources.

What has been the most valuable lesson you've learned in politics?

If you want something done, do it yourself. I have learned through experience, and I had to work to get things I wanted done. Defeat or victory is based on your own hard work.

Tell us a little bit about the Texas Young Democrats, and what roles you feel like you fulfill in that group, official or otherwise.

Officially, I am the President of the Young Democrats. Unofficially, I am the webmaster, counselor for all of the members, and every other position that has been forgotten about.