Delegate Elect Andrew Platt–whose family hails from Sligo–has a lot of work ahead of him as he prepares to be sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates. Born and raised in a working class neighborhood in Gaithersburg, Andrew is the son of a mailman and a mom who made minimum wage. Andrew learned at a young age the importance of hard work and playing by the rules.
After becoming the first in his family to graduate from college, where he went to The Catholic University of America, Andrew went on to work for Donna Brazile, the Vice-Chair of Voter Registration and Participation for the Democratic National Committee. Andrew then got a job on Capitol Hill working for the House Democratic Caucus. While working full time on the hill, Andrew went to graduate school at night at the George Washington University and received his Master’s degree.
We asked Andrew a few questions about his career and plans for elected office:
1.) What first inspired you to get involved in public service?
I grew up in an ethnically diverse, working class neighborhood that was ignored by local politicians, probably because we were located in an area of pretty wealthy suburban neighborhoods. Growing up, I saw this process of working people being shut out of the political and policy process unfold in front of me, which was only further engrained in my belief system while I working on Capitol Hill. While I was on the hill, my mother was laid off, lost her health insurance, and went into debt just trying to pay the weekly bills. I felt that nobody in office was looking out for her and the many more like her post-recession. So I decided to move back to my hometown and run for a state legislative seat so that middle class and working families could have a voice in the legislature.
2.) What is your connection to Ireland or Irish Issues?
My father’s side of the family is from Ireland. My grandmother grew up in Sligo, and when she would care for me and my sister during the summer, she would tell us stories of Ireland and gave us books to read about the history of the country and its people. I still have many family members in Ireland. There is a unique bond between Ireland and America, and it’s something that I would like to focus on during my time in office. There are many threads of the Irish experience in our country to be sewn into the larger narrative of the American Dream and what this country has been, what it is, and what it can be, and I hope to be able to contribute to that effort.
3.) What is the most important issue facing Maryland today?
Equality of opportunity. Too many children born into poor families stay there because they lack the opportunity to get a fair chance at achieving the American Dream. As the grandchild of an Irish immigrant who went through Ellis Island, the unique American credo of equality of opportunity holds a special place in my heart. Real equality of opportunity is something that I will pursue through public policy and legislation, not just lip service.
4.) Once you are sworn in, what is one of the first things you hope to accomplish?
I hope to draft and introduce a bill to bring paid maternity and paternity leave to Maryland. America is the only industrialized democracy to not offer paid maternity and paternity leave. I hope that Maryland can serve as a model for national legislation.
5.) What was it like being a Democratic staffer and taking the plunge into elected office?
It was quite a transition. I went from thinking “what’s best for my boss and his constituency?” to having to answer those questions for myself. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to run for office. Every single day, I get to wake up knowing that I can make a difference for people if I work hard and keep at it.
Learn more about Andrew at AndrewPlatt.org and stay up to date with the Irish American Democrats by following us on Twitter and Liking us on Facebook.