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When I first became interested in politics around seventh grade, I had no idea where to start or what I was getting myself into. As an avid news watcher, I frequently saw our national representatives on television, which sparked my curiosity about the political world. That curiosity led me to reach out to Leader Mitch McConnell’s office in June 2018, requesting the opportunity to meet with him in Kentucky. I connected with one of his field representatives, Andrew, and within a couple of weeks, I was invited to a business forum in Danville, Kentucky, hosted by Leader McConnell. Afterwards, I spoke to the Leader for a couple minutes alongside my grandfather. That moment was the turning point and marked my entry into the world of politics.
As I became more involved in local Republican politics through monthly county GOP meetings and Lincoln Day Dinners, I quickly realized that success in politics isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know. Networking is essential. Because of my dedication to my local Republican Party and the belief they had in me, I was able to secure multiple campaign internships with my local representative, Attorney General Cameron, and Leader McConnell over the span of three years. In the middle of those internships, I was offered and took the opportunity to meet Vice President Mike Pence and Sarah Huckabee Sanders when they visited the Commonwealth.
One example of how I personally helped advance someone’s political goals stands out in particular. In December 2020, during my junior year of high school, I met a guy close in age named Zachary. Because he was homeschooled, we did not attend school together. He had shown up unexpectedly to a local GOP meeting, and our paths might never have crossed had he not taken that initiative. At the time, I was about to start a position as a legislative page in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Our page class was unusually small that year, and by chance, we had one remaining spot to fill. When we were asked to find someone for the position, I immediately thought of Zachary and encouraged him to apply. He accepted, and that opportunity became a launching pad for him—leading to internships with a Congressman and the state auditor’s office. It’s quite possible that if he hadn’t connected with me in that moment, his pathway would have been entirely different.
Whenever I give advice to someone interested in politics, I keep it simple: show up. Attend events and fundraisers, meet new people, and build genuine relationships within your community. You have to build a good team in order to win. Turn networking opportunities into lasting friendships. If you aspire to run for office, you need to be an active listener, not just a speaker. Winning over people isn’t about talking the most; it’s about being authentic, engaged, and truly understanding the concerns of those you hope to represent. I don’t know where my future career will take me, but I know one thing for sure: I’ll keep strengthening the bonds I have while forging new ones along the way.
Dyllan Tipton is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2026. He is studying political science.