»Matt Fowler, Albuquerque Canvas Director

Born: Chicago
Grew up: Chicago and Evanston, IL
School: University Dayton, OH

How did you get started with Grassroots Campaigns?

“I started as a canvasser in the Chicago Door office this summer on the DNC campaign. My sister was looking for a job while I was busy graduating and she forwarded me the ad she saw in the Chicago Tribune. I graduated on Sunday and I went in on Tuesday for the job interview. I was hired, quickly became a field manager and then in June I was promoted to an Assistant Director and was placed in Albuquerque, NM. Ever since the election I’ve been the Lead Director here.”

Had you ever been to Albuquerque before?

“No. I had been to Arizona with my parents when I was really young, but Arizona and New Mexico are very different.”

Why Activism?

“I wanted to work in politics, I didn’t think I needed to be an activist but I wanted to get involved and work in politics. At the time I was searching for jobs on the election it was really hard to be in a blue state (IL) and find anything other then volunteer opportunities. Grassroots Campaigns had the best opportunities for work in blue states, so I tried this and it seemed like a good fit, which is strange because canvassing is not my sort of thing. I’m kinda shy.”

What inspired you to do this work after the election?

“I understand being upset about the election, but now isn’t the time to give up, it’s time to do more and grow our offices. That’s just what happened in Albuquerque. It has grown with steady pace over the last couple of months, which has been really cool to see.”

Things to know about Matt -

Favorite thing about Albuquerque: The people
Favorite thing about Chicago: The food – he thinks the Mexican food is better in Chicago...and he misses the Cubs.
Favorite past-time: Baseball
Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla fan – he is single handily keep the vending machine open in his office.
Breakfast: Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter and Coffee.