Election Watch 2008
Credit Union Political Spotlight
Daniel Mazza - Political Involvement Spotlight
Daniel (Danny) Mazza, Government & Public Affairs Manager of Arizona FCU, is a self-described political junkie. It all
began in 1999, when, at the age of 16, he volunteered on his first campaign. Danny was in his junior year of high school
when he became involved in Senator McCain's first bid for the presidential nomination. Even though he was hooked on politics
since grade school; he considers his first campaign to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
Earlier this year Danny was able to realize a long-time dream and that was to volunteer for the McCain for President Campaign in New Hampshire. He thinks that for a political junkie there is nothing as wonderful as New Hampshire during a largely-contested primary on both sides of the aisle. He feels that anyone who has a love of politics should volunteer in New Hampshire during the primary at least once in their lives. Danny had this to say about his experience: "While in New Hampshire, I went door-to-door canvassing in 14 degree-below-zero weather (again, I'm from Arizona, so just the thought of any temperature below the mid-50's is a stretch for the mind). We also campaign in ways I feel are uniquely "New Hampshire"- we did 'sign waves' each morning and evening during rush hour (this is where a group of supporters stand on a very dangerous, busy intersection of a highway or main road, and wave the sign of their candidate). Nearly every car responds with a honk, wave, or other gesture less encouraging."
Danny has worked on many other campaigns in the intervening years, from city council, to state legislative races, to Congressional campaigns. During this time, he has done just about every job one could imagine, from staffing phone banks, to stuffing envelopes while in someone's living through all hours of the night, going door-to-door canvassing and sign-waving. Through it all, he has found his time spent very rewarding and has even managed to get his fiancé to accompany him on some recent campaign activities!
Danny also knows the value of raising money in support of his candidates. Not only does he donate personal funds to the candidates, he has also helped coordinate fundraisers in addition to attending some. While the high-dollar events remain out of reach (after all, he works for a credit union, not a bank), he has found the ones aimed at the "young professional" group are certainly within his budget.
In addition to a full time job and volunteering on political campaigns, Danny is attending law school in the evenings. He also belongs to "Tomorrow's Leaders", the organization which supports the local Ronald McDonald House located in Phoenix. Danny and his fiancé have plans for an October wedding.
Over the years Danny has made a lot of friends and thinks some of the most interesting people he has met are due to his involvement in politics. He feels it is always good to have a cause to believe in and fight for a cause greater than your own self-interests. When you believe in a candidate or an idea so strongly, investing yourself in that cause is the most rewarding experience one could ask for. Danny's advice for those whose candidates don't make it: fret not, because, in the words of Ted Kennedy, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Where will the "Political Spotlight" shine next? Please email us if you know an individual or group within the credit union movement who is engaged in the political process.
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