A Democratic Senator and a Republican Delegate on the Fights Within Their Own Supermajorities || Terms of Service with Future Caucus
Terms of Service with Future Caucus
A Rhode Island Democrat and a West Virginia Republican, both serving in supermajorities, on why the toughest fights are sometimes within your own party.
Terms of Service is a limited series from Future Caucus and TP&R, hosted by Future Caucus CEO Layla Zaidane. People run for state legislature to serve their communities, then find the fine print. This episode brings together Sen. Tiara Mack (D-RI) and Del. Andy Shamblin (R-WV), two lawmakers serving in supermajority chambers, on building coalitions across factions, pay that doesn't match the job, and what it takes to keep good people in office.
This series is a partnership between Scan Media and Future Caucus. Executive Producers: Future Caucus and Layla Zaidane.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
A supermajority has its own fault lines. Both Mack and Shamblin serve in chambers where their own party holds overwhelming control, and both say their fiercest fights happen within the party, not across the aisle.
The fine print of the paycheck. West Virginia delegates earn around $24,000 a year plus per diem, a disruption to career and family that Shamblin says surprises most people who assume lawmakers get rich in office.
Building the next generation of lawmakers. Both point to campaign funds covering childcare as a bipartisan fix that's opened the door for more young parents, especially women, to run.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Sen. Tiara Mack (D) represents District 6 in Providence, Rhode Island, now in her third term after unseating a 30-year incumbent in 2020 to become the state's first openly queer Black state legislator. She is a former teacher and community organizer.
Del. Andy Shamblin (R) represents District 59 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, now in his second term. He teaches history at Nitro High School and has served on Nitro City Council since 2012. Host Layla Zaidane is president and CEO of Future Caucus.
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Future Caucus: futurecaucus.org
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