Saira Blair - West Virginia's Youngest Delegate

Every single one of them said Colin don't do this. I couldn't get any of them to publicly support me or even really privately support people laughed at me when I was going door to door I had to tell myself that I'm ready no matter who tells me that I'm not welcome to elected officials of America Our journey to interview an elected official in each of the 50 states Find out what motivated our officials to run the adversities they overcame and what we need to do to work together again Do you think politics is only for a select and chosen few think again? Hello everybody, I'm James Spidola. This is episode 38 of elected officials of America I spoke with Sarah Blair for this one who was elected at the age of 17 In 2014 to a West Virginia delegate seat Yes, at 17 she ran against an incumbent Republican and beat him in a primary to eventually become the youngest legislator in history What I enjoy most about her story though is not even how young she was when she ran But how she had an overwhelming fear of public speaking yet faced it head on We talk about how she coped with that fear on the campaign trail Along with how she dealt with getting death threats for controversial legislation We talk about how she handled a social media instance she had and a lot more So to learn more about Sarah and to check out the show notes Please go to elected officials of america.com/episode38 Thank you again for listening and if you have a second after Please share this out on social media or leave us a review on iTunes both help to get the word out. So thank you and enjoy So representative Blair, thank you so much for joining me this morning I was just reading up on you and I saw that you are not running for re-election this november What what made you decide that? I saw you're going to grad school. Were there any other factors that were involved in that decision? Oh yeah, there are a lot of factors predominantly it was graduate school I still haven't applied so I know you're probably going to ask me where I'm going I'm not sure yet. I should know that by the end of the year but I was also Realistic about what I wanted to get out of the experience. I served for four years I was elected in 2014 my first session was in 2015 and we just wrapped up the 2018 session and You know, I realized that there's only a limitation of my possibilities that I can do in a couple years and and I accomplished so many of the things that I wanted to And the biggest of all is that I ran on not being a career politician and I wanted to prove that You know, I really was going to hold to that and you know I had an opportunity if I ran again to move up the ladder so they say and you know take on more leadership roles But that's not what I was interested in you know I have you know I'm a desire to work in the private sector. I don't want to be a lifelong career politician by any means sure So let's rewind to your 2014 election you won when you were 17 years old and you couldn't even vote for yourself what was uh Sorry, I got to get that one so this is an example of media. That's actually inaccurate I've tried to get people to fix that but in uh, I think it's 15 or so states you can vote at 17 as long as you turn 18 by the general election in November Got your suit. Okay, so you could vote in the primary because you were going to be 18 come to general. Yeah, okay So what was the other reaction with your family members? I know your dad is in the state senate there. Is that right? Yes, that's correct What did people say when you told them when you were 16 17 you that you were going to take on an incumbent Republican for a delegate seat? I they thought I was crazy. They thought I was absolutely crazy. I had no idea why I would want to do it um But once people realized that I was serious about it and it's crazy to talk about now. It feels like it was so long ago, but um Everybody really did come behind me and support me and it meant the world to me and there were a lot of people even my friends and family who didn't necessarily support me Um, they thought it was a bad decision for me. They still felt that I was young But as time went on, you know, they were always there to lend a hand and um, there still are till this day and I really appreciated and um it was just overwhelming a crazy time in my life period But I couldn't have done it without friends and family and anyone at any age. He's ever ran for office can tell you You know, it helps to have a support system So was there any point on the campaign trail that you almost gave in to those The people telling you that you were too young and that you shouldn't run Oh, yeah all the time all the time and when I first started to run for office I also had a horrible fear of public speaking So I was trying to conquer, you know, a fear as well as you know, handle this this riddle and and I got over it As much as whenever overcomes a fear and now it's not a big deal for me to speak in front of thousands of people But at that time when I was speaking in front of a room of 25 people. Oh, it was just it was exhausting Tell me the the worst public speaking experience you had on the campaign trail Ah Is there one that sticks out it was it just general nervousness Um, honestly the one that sticks out and it wasn't anything that was That bad to anyone else and if anybody else, you know, if I asked anyone there about it They wouldn't remember but I don't know. I guess it had just been a long day for me And this this was it was a meeting It was like a local town hall type of meeting at like seven o'clock at night And I was just exhausted and it was another one of those rooms There might have even been less than 25 people there might have only been 15 people there But I remember just coming home and I was just ready to quit. I was like I'm done like that was horrible That went terribly those people probably think I'm a fool But he said I don't think anything particularly went bad. It was just Everybody kind of hits that point when they're campaigning where it's just like I'm ready for it to be done Winter lose. I'm ready for this to be done because I'm exhausted What did you tell yourself during those darkest times when you wanted when you were thinking about quitting? How did you keep yourself going? So This is the Cheesiest thing and I tell us a lot when I talk to high schoolers because it's it's relatable It's funny, but it really did work for me to put my life in perspective So before I went to any of these events or I did anything I would pick a movie I don't watch a lot of TV So it's a big deal for me to sit down and like watch movie and so if I was particularly nervous I would find a movie on Netflix. I would get a bag of popcorn and I would like put it on top of like my laptop or Neither TV and I would tell myself like no matter how this event goes like if every single person in the room laughs at you If you end up leaving in tears like if just something horrible happens You're still gonna come home. You're still gonna make this popcorn. You're still gonna watch the movie You're gonna bet you're gonna go to bed. You're gonna wake up and life's gonna go on and like that Was the biggest thing that got me through was you know and same with the whole election, you know if I had lost I mean that's a risk you take when you run for office and the end of the day your life goes on You did what you need to do you put yourself out there you're growing as a person Life will go on and that's just what I did to get myself through the tough days I think that's such a great story. I mean everybody kind of has their their safe place where they might go whether it's exercise or You know walk in the park or it's it's in that flicks and popcorn so that That's a that's an awesome story About with your race you I'm guessing it's a pretty you live in a pretty Republican district. Is that right? Yes So how was how did the local party perceive you as when you decided to take on and incumbent Republican? Um, it was A unique experience then now that we have so that was actually we were not in the majority at the time The state of West Virginia had never seen a Republican majority until the year that I had won in 2014 For 87 years our entire state had been ruled by Democratic majority So primary elections in the Republican party weren't very frequent because we never really had a lot of Republican candidates Because they never won until 2014. So it was a big deal then Um, most people said I'm staying out of that whether it was uh People within the party whether it was PACs and organizations a lot of people said look we're staying out of this race You guys do get out and then we'll support whoever comes out of the primary Well now fast forward to 2018 we've been in control for a few years and The Republican party's a lot stronger. So there are a lot of primary races and that's not really happening But I didn't have anybody tell me no you can't run That seats already held or anything like that. They just said look you guys handle it But we're gonna stay out Do you think your dad's status and the party and and the legislature made that made that path a little easier for you? I don't think his status and the legislature helped. I think my name helped I can't deny that I will never pretend like my last name didn't do me a lot of good I mean not only was my dad a legislator, but he's a small business owner And he's been a member of our community his entire life his parents were a member of our community his grandparents were I mean we have deep roots here in this area and My last name definitely helped and and because of him I've known my my district. I've gone to events I mean even in high school and my you know various clubs where you know We'd have pancake breakfast and things like that I mean the year before I'd be going to the pancake breakfast as you know Sarah Blair, you know Freddie and Jeanette's granddaughter and then the next year I was going as Sarah Blair the candidate for West Virginia How so it's still me it's still me at the same event But I'm seeing all these community members and so My name definitely helped but it just helped already being an active member of the community for sure Every every young person I shouldn't say every young person, but people that are strikingly young I should say Like very early 20s. You yourself Um, it seems they had a very good mentor to help them get to their path to victory What would you say to a young person Who didn't who doesn't have a dental legislature doesn't have a parent that is involved Uh in in in the party is it still possible for them to run and win It's possible, but yeah, it's a lot tougher um, I've recognized that too That a lot of younger people. I've had a lot of them reach out to me. I mean I probably had hundreds and hundreds of messages from teenagers and then people from 20 to 30 who've reached out to me the email or called me and said Him interested in running and and that's the first thing I tell them is you know find somebody that can help you out because I would have been Lost in a lot of ways if I hadn't have had such a great group of people because not only did I have my father But I had people that I'd known that he'd worked with in years past I mean, I had a lot of people who were able to help me out. I tell people you know look within the party. I mean normally Uh the state party has people that they're willing to help you like you know They just want to get somebody elected. So it's going to be tougher if you're running against um In a primary election against an incumbent. Yeah, it's going to be harder for you to find a mentor But if you're running Whether it's Republican or you're running as a Democrat and you're going against an incumbent and they're looking for someone to fill that spot and to take up that role They'll find somebody to mentor you and to help you out absolutely Did you find yourself facing any challenges that you felt were unique to you as a as a young woman On the campaign trail and also in the legislature Um Like it what exactly could you clarify? Sure where Jumping ahead I saw that you received death threats over Some gun control or concealed carry bill for people between the ages of 18 and 21 and I Based on what I read it seemed that you thought they were gender influences that right Yes, yeah, I would definitely agree with that Yeah, I did receive um An interesting remarks interesting Comments that my male and older colleagues weren't receiving um, it's tough I mean a lot of people not only do they think that I'm too young and I'm too immature Which I'm actually not even the youngest member of the legislature anymore. There's a guy who's a couple months or a couple weeks younger than I am and then I serve with Um a few people who are 23 24 So they're really they're not that different from me in age. I'm 21 now. I'll be 22 pretty soon But because I'm a young woman I get a lot of comments about what I'm wearing how my hair looks my makeup I'm smart enough to do the job things like that um I don't know it's it's really tough especially when it comes to any of the pro-life pro-choice Arguments and debates which you know I'm passionate about but it's not my biggest thing You know, I'm all about the economy. That's where I'm passionate That's why I ran for office was to work on tax reform That's what gets me going. I can talk about tax reform for half an hour Social issues are they're there and you need to do them. You need to address them. They're important But they're not the biggest thing for me But on on anything that I've done that's pro-life then I receive horrible Horrible emails. I mean just just terrible things that you know I just I wouldn't wish upon anyone to receive something like that But it's it's part of the job. I'm not complaining. I don't want anyone to think that I'm It just is it is what it is How do you cope with such emails? Is it a Netflix and popcorn situation to bring you back to zen? Do you confide in somebody like how do you how do you handle the emotions of the negativity? Um, it depends Normally it didn't bother me Until this last session because yeah, I'd gotten the advice before you know Don't take it personally if you don't know them personally and that helps me a lot I mean that's that's what people do They don't think that I'm ever going to read the emails or see the comments or things like that and So it didn't really bother me now this last session was a little tougher We were dealing with some more emotional issues and so now I started having people that I knew Calling me and telling me you know that I hated I hated everybody in the community. I hated children. I wanted them To get a horrible education. I mean it so those were tougher But I just realized you know that they don't necessarily understand the issues as much It would be impossible with the amount of time that it takes for me to learn about all the different things and that I would have been saying the same exact thing if I hadn't have been elected and then that's one of the things that helps me If I put myself in perspective of you know if I wasn't down in Tarleson or capital It's three months a year. I would have no clue and I would be thinking the same exact thing. So I Can't necessarily blame them because a few years ago. I was exactly the same way. I would have said the same exact thing What is some of the best advice you received whether it's on the campaign trail or or just in life that keeps you going? Um, it was actually both my dad gave me this advice and he explained that this entire process is very much like a roller coaster I mean some days are great. I mean you have your highs to highs and then other days are just Painful, you know really low. You don't want to do it anymore. You don't know why you're doing this You know Like just why and and he said you know they'll come and they'll go but you just have to focus and Don't let them the ups or the lows get to you But you need to focus on why you ran for office the difference you're trying to make and the state of West Virginia and and that has helped me more than I could Even imagine because I didn't realize whenever you say you know, I'm thinking oh, that's just the campaign trail But no that carries on into serving as well one thing that I think it's safe to say that all millennials Have anybody that was raised in the era of Facebook and Instagram They probably have something embarrassing out there on the internet and they're probably concerned about them That precluding them from running for office and there was an incident where you were wrapping along to a little Wayne song Um, what would you say to to somebody that is concerned about an embarrassing moment popping up on social media and how to handle that? I mean That's life I can tell you the reaction whenever it came up. I was still in session and All my fellow legislators came up to me and they went oh Man, I'm glad these cell phones were not when I was a kid. I'd be smelling very seen I could never have ran for office. I mean life's life. You can't stop living That was an incident in my home. I never posted that on the internet I was just there with two or three of my friends sitting in my apartment singing along to a song from like 2011 and this video is years old by the way And last week, I mean that the video was taken for years ago. I'm not even sure how the person got it or Yeah, I have no clue who submitted the video where they came from. I have no idea But it is what it is um I wouldn't let that stop you I mean if it's a really horrible thing than maybe but if it's something like that Yeah, it sucks. Yeah, it's embarrassing, but life goes on and people forget about it or they don't and they laugh about it But at the end of the day, I can't take it back. So why would I let it ruin me or make me upset or anything like that? And I wouldn't tell anyone not to run for office for fear of something like that If that's the worst thing somebody has of you is a silly video of you being a human That doesn't preclude you from being capable of running for office Absolutely. I spoke with that joelle jones A Michigan state rep who's 22 or so and he had a similar response that you know embarrassing stuff It happens in life and it you know it can help make you relatable to people at the same time So turning it into a strength of sorts Is a possibility depending on the situation and you demonstrated such great flow in that video that People who were impressed Really upset the little Wayne didn't invite me on tour with him. I had my finger I ended up on his fan page they just really Yeah, my fan page is like notice me inviting me on tour But it didn't happen but fingers crossed still and maybe a little Wayne listens to your show I'm sure he does What do you think the biggest personal challenge you've overcome in your life is? Honestly, it kind of goes back to My fear of public speaking and I'm still not over it But when I say that it was like a fear of public speaking like I don't mean it was like oh, I don't enjoy doing this It was I used to break out into hives and have a panic attack in front of the room get dizzy Like there was one time last year it was only a year ago and I like I said I thought I was over this But I guess I'm not my you know my knees locked up and I thought I was going to pass out in front of a room of people And I was there to talk about how to overcome your fears I was like are you kidding me but um it's just It's been one of the toughest things and I'm just not sure why because like I said I've had instances where I've spoken in front of thousands of people and I've been fine and then Other days I'll speak in front of 100 people and it it'll kill me. I can't deal it and I'm pushing through every day though and a lot of times Intempted to just stop doing things just for the fact of you know I don't want to ever have to speak in front of people ever again But one of my friends gave me a really great piece of advice once and she said that your greatest strength lies within your greatest vulnerability and It was absolutely the truth. I mean I um I like I said I had this fear of public speaking so in high school I joined the speech and debate team So that I could take on this fear head on so I signed up to give the original order So I had to give a 10-minute speech in front of the judges and my peers and it was the worst thing I've ever done in my entire life I mean the absolute most nauseating sickening thing and I wasn't sure why I was doing it since I was putting myself out there to take on my biggest fear For no apparent reason, but it helped me and if it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have had the strength to run for office and Even though every single day having to do my speaking for public office was horrible It opened up doors and opportunities that I could never even begin to imagine otherwise and so I still have a lot of other things I'm trying to conquer in my life But I'm trying to take them head on because if if everything that I take on that was difficult for me open the same doors that that did I can't even imagine what the others could I appreciate you being vulnerable and sharing that fear with us You know I think that a lot of people thinking about running for office probably think oh I you know I'd have to speak in front of groups and they let it hold them back or not even Running for office, but so many people are scared of speaking in front of people, but You know just taking a step forward and just focusing on trying to be a little less terrified each time To me that's when I do it. That's what I where I try to try to find success My last question for you Okay, you know the country is not as Republican as some areas of West Virginia And there's a lot of bitterness and hate in the air. What do you think we can do to come together again? Hmm That's a tough one so for me I guess it's probably more conservative West Virginia is an odd state because from the national level we come across as incredibly Republican But we have a lot of Southern Democrats and so on on you know economic issues. They're not really quite that Republican It's just on social issues. So there we have a lot of conservative Democrats in West Virginia. Just clear that up But as far as answering your question and bringing people together, I think we really need to start having Open honest conversations and and I don't know how to do that You know with mainstream media. It's difficult. I mean I wish that's you know like This interview these types of interviews podcast type things are Listen to more often because I think that's where you see a genuine view of politicians and you humanize people and that's the biggest problem is that people Look at Politicians from the top all the way down to their local Municipal level and think you know these aren't humans these are People with an agenda they have some kind of game that they're playing they want power they want money They're not looking after the people all politicians are bad and you know some of them are there are a few But majority of them are in it for the right purpose and I say that from from everyone Regardless of what your political affiliation is I didn't vote for Hillary Clinton But I think that Hillary Clinton is a strong woman. I think she did a great job with her messaging I think she genuinely cares about the United States of America and wanting to bring prosperity to all people her way of getting there is different than Bernie Sanders or her way of getting there is different than Donald Trump But she wanted the best for America and I think if everybody just sat down from both sides of the aisle and respected the fact that Running for office has very little gains Oh, it's a whole lot more of a painful experience and it is a prosperous one or a great one for you that everybody though is doing it because they care about The future of their city their state or their country um, it really helps you to see them as a human and Give them the benefit of the doubt a little bit and you'll realize that they have the same end goal They just have a different way of getting there and I think that makes the conversation a lot easier to have Sure representative Blair. Thank you so much your time today and best of luck in grad school Thank you so much for having me on Thank you for listening everybody hope you enjoyed that again to check out the show notes Please go to elected officials of america.com slash episode 38 Let me know what you thought of that episode feel free to shoot me an email at james@elected officials of america.com and until next time take care