For the fall semester, the IOP is honored to welcome Sarah Isgur Flores, the former deputy campaign manager of Carly Fiorina's 2016 presidential campaign, as a resident fellow. As the deputy manager of the campaign, Flores oversaw the day-to-day operations of the campaign, traveling to over 30 states and making appearance on Fox, CNN, and MSNBC as a chief campaign surrogate. In addition to her involvement in the 2016 Republican primaries, Flores has served as the political director for Texans for Cruz, the National Operations Day Advisor for Romney for President, and the Deputy Communications Director for the Republican National Committee.

In her answers to our questions about millennials, communication in politics, and her career, Flores discusses the importance of voting, the imperfect path that led to her current career in politics, and the advice she would give political candidates who want to reach young voters.

What can students expect to learn in your study groups?

When I first got interested in politics (I was a math major my freshman year!), it felt like learning a new language. I was instantly smitten with how politics was covered by the media and how they talked about campaigns and candidates. So we'll talk about how to get your message to voters through the political media. But I hope we'll learn about speaking and understanding the language of political campaigns.

Millennials are known for their social activism, but not necessarily their political engagement. What would you say to those who doubt the value of voting or political participation, especially in this election year?

I feel you! I don't even know who I'm going to vote for on November 8th. But I am going to vote. When you study American history and believe our republic is exceptional because of that imperfect history, you realize it only works if we all feel a stake in the outcome. Millions of Americans have fought to have their voices heard and died to protect your right to have yours heard as well. Politics can be depressing, frustrating, bitter, ugly, uplifting, challenging, hilarious, inspiring, and beautiful.  (And if you don't vote, you don't get to complain about the results--and I'm a big fan of complaining.) 

Can you talk about a turning point moment that defined you as a person and your choice of career?

I thought I had it all figured out after college. I had held several prestigious internships, had a writing portfolio of press releases and op-eds, and was headed to my dream job as a congressional press secretary. Within 8 weeks, I'd been fired. It was the best thing that ever happened to me because it put me on the road I'm on today. There is no perfect path. There will be setbacks, unexpected triumphs, and a lot of people helping you along the way who you can never repay. Your job is to work your hardest and pay it forward.

One of the topics of your focus group is how political candidates communicate with voters through the media. What would you advise candidates do to communicate better with young voters specifically?

I'd advise candidates to do a college tour with their youngest staffer on stage asking the questions (usually their "body person" who is their personal aide that travels with them and tends to be just a few years out of college) to give young voters a behind-the-scenes take on what the political world looks like from a member of their generation who knows the candidate best. On top of that, there are so many ways to reach new audiences these days in fun and innovative ways that can still make a serious point like this video we did from the campaign, which is still one of my favorites: https://www.buzzfeed.com/sajp/if-men-were-treated-like-women-in-the-workplace.  

What do you think the “Future of Politics” will look like?

It will be whatever we make of it. That's why you should participate in the American experiment!

Join Flores’ study group on Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45pm in the FDR. And follow her on twitter @whignewtons.