Hoofing for the House: Jen Lawless takes her campaign to the streets

It was sort of like a politically motivated fitness plan.

Congressional candidate Jen Lawless has just completed a walk of Rhode Island's entire 2nd Congressional District. The stroll through all 20 towns in her district was part of her plan to unseat incumbent Rep. Jim Langevin in a Democratic primary later this year.

Along the way, she met with people in her district and listened to their concerns. On Sunday, she entered the north end of Westerly on Route 3 and headed for downtown. She had already walked about 75 miles of her 115-mile walk at that point. All of it was done on her own power, except for the passage between Narragansett and Block Island.

“The ferry trip is the only part that's not on foot,” she said.

In some towns, supporters met her and walked with her. “We've had as many as six or seven people walking at one time, which is great,” she said.

Lawless said she felt that it was important to get into every community and meet as many people as possible.

“This is a very grassroots campaign. That is what politics is really all about,” she said. “You just don't see this kind of retail politics anymore. This is what it should be like.

“It actually saddens me that it's such a unique thing to do,” she added.

Accompanied by a campaign staffer and a Lawless for Congress placard, she trudged along, waving at every car and person she saw.

Lawless, a professor of political science at Brown University, said most people don't seek out their elected officials, or candidates, to tell them how they feel. Her sojourn gave them the chance to do so.

“People are so excited to have the opportunity to speak to an actual candidate,” she noted. “This election is going to be won one conversation and one vote at a time.”

Lawless said her four key issues are education, jobs, health care and reproductive choice for women. After speaking with citizens in the district, she found that people are also concerned about gasoline prices and the environment.

She said she was pleased with the responses she had received from people so far.

“People have actually been really supportive,” she said. “A lot honk in enthusiasm. Most people wave. The reaction has been very enthusiastic and agreeable.”

Although her day in Westerly was sunny and spring-like, a few of the earlier days were rainy and windy. It didn't deter her, though. She intended to walk the district rain or shine.

“That's the message I want to send,” she said, that she's available in any weather, in any season.

Like most days, her stroll last Sunday from Richmond to Westerly was about 15 miles long. All that exercise had her in a good mood.

“No blisters. My body's holding up OK. My pace has slowed, but that's the only change since I started six days ago,” she said. “Good sneakers are the key.”

Lawless did prove one thing – she can certainly walk the walk.

This article, written by Leslie Rovetti, appeared on January 27, 2006, in The Westerly Times.