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All politics, it has been said, is local. And if you ask Anthony Foxx ’96, starting local is a great way to get into politics; in 2005, he was elected to the city council in his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., and in 2009, he became mayor. Foxx appeared on a panel at the April 7 ������ Law Forum, which asked, “Should You Go Into Politics? (And How?).” Joining him were Robert Straniere ’65, a former Republican member of the New York State Assembly from Staten Island, and Erin Scharff ’11, a Root-Tilden-Kern Scholar, who has worked on a number of political campaigns, including for Barack Obama's in Iowa. , assistant dean for the Public Interest Law Center, moderated the discussion.

Anyone thinking of entering politics needs to have a passion for it, the panelists agreed. Without that, it’s difficult to withstand the extraordinary demands of running for, and holding, office; the often rough and tumble nature of the environment; and the toll it can take on your family. “There’s going to be an industry there that counters everything you say and everything you do,” Foxx said. “It’s a pretty brutal process.” Fundraising, Straniere noted, has become a distasteful constant of political life. And, since even the best politicians face an uncertain future, the panelists cautioned that it's always good to have a back-up plan. Before he entered politics, Foxx clerked, worked for the Justice Department, was a House Judiciary Committee staffer, and was a litigator at a law firm. “Have your professional life in a place where, if you aren’t elected, you have someplace else to be happy,” he said.

Video

Watch the full discussion (1 hr 13 min):

Posted April 13, 2010