ELECTION 2000: Biagi has big hopes for political career
By Nate Bloomquist
Apache Editor
Chauntelle Biagi just might be President some day. That’s what she’s had her heart set on since she was 10-years-old. Now, at 19, Biagi has started her descent up the public service ladder. She’s currently working for Cathy Oliveri, the Putnam County Circuit Clerk since July 4 of this year.
She had previously worked for state representative Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) for three years. Biagi is currently doing campaign work for Mautino and Mindy Simmons, who is running for Putnam County states attorney.
“We walk pretty much every night and hand out pamphlets,” says Biagi.
The political science major says she is excited about this year’s presidential election.
“I’m really excited about the whole thing,” she says. “Although I’m a bit biased, because I want Al Gore to win.”
The IVCC sophomore has already met Gore twice.
Biagi says she felt frustrated that she couldn’t vote at an earlier age. She says her grandmother first sparked her interest in politics by watching the news and various political talk shows with her. From that point on, Biagi says she wanted to strive to become president.
“Everyone always laughs at me when I say I want to become president,” says Biagi. “I’d love to be the youngest president ever and the first female. I’d like to make everyone work better. I want to make a difference.”
So far, Biagi has already made a difference. Most people her age shy away from politics, Biagi has engulfed herself in them. The Hennepin resident plans on taking a common route to public office, she’s minoring in law. Biagi says she hasn’t come across any other people her age that are involved in politics to the extent that she is. She says she understands why.
“They don’t think they can make a difference; they think they are too young,” says Biagi. “But I feel that I have made a difference already, and I’m just one person. I’ve dealt with a lot of constituents and I helped them with concerns or problems they had. It feels good when you do that and I want to keep on doing that. I want to make a difference.”