Read the conversation between Workshop staff member Anjali Goyal and her brother Jay Goyal, newly elected State Representative from the 73rd District to Ohio House of Representatives.

Anjali: Jay, do you have a few minutes? I want to interview you.

Jay: Yeah. Fire away.

Anjali: Do you remember the precise moment in your life when you knew you wanted to be in politics?

Jay: I don't think there was ever a specific point at which I knew I wanted to go into politics. Itıs something I was interested in ever since I was young, but itıs not something I thought I'd ever go into.

Anjali: So what drew you to politics?

Jay: Umm ... I've always had an interest in helping people and I've always had an interest in public policy. I never planned on running for office, but a situation came up where I felt that I had an opportunity to make a difference and positively affect my community. The current state rep was retiring. Some people within the party approached me about running, and I felt that there were significant enough issues to address to where I wanted to get involved and make a difference.

Anjali: What are five critical issues you think aren't getting enough attention?

Jay: In Ohio, educational funding, health care, early childhood education, work force training with jobs and economic development, Medicaid reform.

Anjali: Do you find it worrisome -- the direction those issues are heading in Middle America and Ohio?

Jay: Yeah, definitely. We're seeing our middle class being squeezed. We're seeing a lot of our good paying manufacturing jobs leave the area and being replaced with jobs at Wal-Mart.

Anjali: Yeah, how do you feel about Wal-Mart?

Jay: I don't dislike Wal-Mart, but I think it's unfortunate that their wages and benefits are not enough to support a family.

Anjali: So basically, are you saying that it looks like the job market is okay but really skilled jobs are being replaced with lower-wage/no health plan kinds of jobs that lead to a lower standard of living for middle class Americans?

Jay: Yeah, that's pretty accurate. Although it still can be tough to find a job, especially one that pays well.

Anjali: What do you think the 2006 elections said about America's priorities?

Jay: It was a change election. People were unhappy with how things were going on a number of levels -- Iraq, political ethics, jobs. People were unhappy with the way the country was headed. They hope to see stability in Iraq and a reduction of American forces there. They hope to see ethics and integrity brought back to public service. And they hope to see the creation of good-paying jobs for them.

Anjali: How difficult was it running as a South Asian or minority?

Jay: It certainly presents some unique obstacles that had to be overcome. This is a rural conservative district, and there may have been people who felt uncomfortable voting for me because of my ethnicity. On the one hand I had to overcome obstacles to prove to people that I was a serious candidate and that I could win. Another was demonstrating to the people of Richland County that I am one of them and have their best interests at heart.

Anjali: How did you do that?

Jay: I did that by telling people my family's story of moving here and starting a business. I tied it in with the American Dream. I also went out to the people of the district and knocked on 12 or 13 thousand doors.

Anjali: Yeah, the mayor of Mansfield said something about how she thinks you went through three pairs of shoes. How was the support from the Asian American community, both in Mansfield/Richland County/Ohio, and at the national level?

Jay: The support was great. The South Asian community here locally and throughout the state was extremely supportive. The Asian American community, specifically the Asian American Action Fund, was generous as well.

Anjali: What do you think are the biggest issues facing Asian Americans?

Jay: Good question. Maybe acceptance and integration with general society. I think hate crimes, racism, and xenophobia are real concerns.

Anjali: What do you think minorities need to do to feel less alienated from American politics? Jay: I would say get involved. But that's a simple answer for a much deeper problem. Many minorities don't think that politics matters and that it will not affect their day-to-day life. And in many cases, I think they have a point -- that politics alone won't change their situation.

Anjali: List three things that were indispensable to winning your campaign.

Jay: Time, money, perseverance.

Anjali: How about something more specific?

Jay: My Treo 650, Powerade, and money ... or my Saturn.

Anjali: Ha. Money. What did you learn during this run for office that you never knew about politics?

Jay: Hmm ... I gained more of an appreciation of what candidates have to go through in order to serve. I learned how you always have to be careful who you trust and that you can't believe everything you hear.

Anjali: What are some of the pressures of being such a young politician?

Jay: The only unique pressure is having to prove to people that you know your stuff, can handle yourself, and know how to play the game.

Anjali: Do you see yourself running for higher office in the future, like getting to Washington?

Jay: I don't know. You really have to take things one day at a time and prove yourself first. If you don't accomplish what you said you were going to do, it's hard to ask the public for a promotion. But if I am able to accomplish what I want to do, yes, I would love to tackle issues on the federal level.

Anjali: What would you say to President Bush if you were to meet him?

Jay: I don't know if it would matter what I said to him, but I'd probably ask him how he could run on being a ³uniter² when he's been one of the most divisive and partisan presidents ever.

Anjali: Who is your pick for the 2008 presidency?

Jay: I really liked Mark Warner, but he dropped out. Right now, I like Edwards, Gore, and Richardson. I like Obama as a VP candidate.

Anjali: Okay, one more: Many Americans have some inaccurate stereotypes about Ohio (like mixing it up with Iowa). Name one thing you would want people to know about Ohio.

Jay: Go Bucks!

Anjali: Seriously, Jay.

Jay: I am serious. Ohio State is going to kill Michigan this Saturday. That's what I would want people to know. It's a very accurate reflection of the mood of the state.

Anjali: I always tell people that Ohio is a microcosm of America across socio-economic-geographic lines: jobs, education, class, race, ethnicity, ratio of urban to suburban to rural -- that if sociologists want statistics about Americans taken from a smaller sample they use Ohio. In my experience, many people don't realize that it's a very diverse state.

Jay: Your response is pretty good too.

Anjali: Thanks for letting me interview you, Jay.

Jay: No problem. I'm happy to do it, it was fun.

[Final score on November 18, 2006: Ohio State, 42 - Michigan, 39]

Congratulations Jay! To read more about Jay Goyal, click here.

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