By EMMA THOR
at the Democratic National Convention
Ramapo College senior announced Sept. 15 that his name will be on on the Mahwah council general election. grouping for towns general election.
Karlito Almeda, a 21-year-old senior history major and resident of Mahwah, decided to run for office because he wants to serve the people of Mahwah.
“Politics was never in my life plan,” Almedia said. “Originally, I had wanted to be an orchestral instructor, but I had become aware of the situation that educators face. I meandered until I found a path.”
“I entered Ramapo College as undecided but intended to pursue a biology degree with Teacher’s Education Certification,”said Almeda.
It wasn’t until he took Professor Charbel Spring World Civilization class that he knew a career in politics was his calling.
“Studying the American Gilded Age and Progressive Era I had become interested in government,”said Almeda.
“Not until Summer of 2015 I had decided that I wanted to work in that profession,”said Almeda.
“During May till the end of August I had worked 60 to 70 hours a week 5 to 6 days a week Environment New Jersey’s Clean Water campaign which provided information on Obama’s Clean Water ruling,”said Almeda.
“It was intense work but I love the process of engaging constituency as well as bonds I formed with fellow field operatives,” said Almeda.
That summer we had raised over 131,000 for education, fieldwork and lobbying.
This sparked his desire to be in politics.
From engaging with constituents Almeda was able to attend 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
“The convention aided in the development of my networking skills since the convention as a congeration of all types of people,”said Almeda.
“Also it strengthened my relationships with different elected officials and their staffers as well as guiding me to form new relationships with individuals who I would not interact with,” said Almeda.
From Almeda short time in the political field he worked with Congressional Candidate Josh Gottheimer, Senator Corey Booker and Senator Bob Menendez , State Senator Lorretta Weinberg.
According to Pew Research “46% of millennials voted in 2012 election”.
According to Five Thirty Eight Nate Silver , There are 10 Democratic seats and 24 Republican seats up for reelection. There are 36 Democratic seats and 30 seats not up for reelection. If Democrats win the White House they need 4 additional seats. If Democrats don’t win the White House they need additional 5 seats.
This means that everyone needs to vote November know what political party people are associated with. Its not just the president people are electing there’s the senators and congressmen and women that are running for reelection.
Eight people are running for Mahwah Town Council. Three people are running for town mayor.
Almeda is passionate about the enivironment because Almeda is an Enivronmental coordiantor with Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization with Stag Hill.
Almeda been campaigning since august.
Almeda has the hashtag Mahwah as a way to encourage voters to participate in the campaign. For campaign funds Almeda doesn’t much. Almeda just goes to public events such as Mahwah Day and goes door to door to promote his campaign.
Almeda’s town council campaign Administrator Becca McNeil 20 junior political science major said Almeda and I had classes together and he knew I liked doing the campaign work by calling people and putting a face to the candidate.
“Politics causes direct change in the community,” said McNeil.
“I have a civil rights passion and Legislation is the way to help the community,” said McNeil.
“When I was interning for Senator Steven V Orho a woman was fighting for her rights for food stamps. She repossessed her house just to qualify for them,” said McNeil .
From McNeil advocating for a woman’s right to have access to food stamps.
“One of my classes Campaign and Elections what I learned in that class reflects what happens in real life during my internship ,” said McNeil.
“The number will grow and This a social election,” said McNeil “We need to encourage people to vote because its a privilege and right to vote,”said McNeil.
“I want to represent the residents of Mahwah when I become town council member,” said Almeda.
“My life may lean towards my student life one day, political life one day and united nations life one day. It depends on the week and on my schedule,”said Almeda.
“The most important thing to do is work hard so that you may play hard,”said Almeda.
Almeda is placed first on the town council grouping. Almeda is the second youngest on the council and first youngest person is running for town mayor against current town mayor and council president.
Strong ending. I think ending the article with the fact that Almeda is the first youngest person running for town mayor was an interesting and amazing way to end the profile about him. I wish there was a little bit more info on his education at Ramapo college and how Ramapo helped him find his path to politics (besides the small mention of that class)