While many GW students dream of holding elected office, Jared Moskowitz, BA ’03, has made that dream come true in record time. In an historic election, 25-year-old Moskowitz was declared Parkland, Fla., city commissioner by a margin of only 24 votes. “Every vote counts,” Moskowitz says.“We saw it in Gore v Bush and it’s a lesson that was proved again in my own campaign.”

Moskowitz credits the education he received at GW with helping to prepare him for political office: “GW has an excellent political science program,” he explains. “My professors brought life and work experience to the classroom. The location allowed me to get a first-class education while simultaneously working at the White House, Democratic National Committee Headquarters, and on a presidential campaign.”

While on campus, Moskowitz also interned with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson and participated in College Democrats and the Student Association.

Moskowitz took office in March of 2006 and has spent the last two months balancing the demands of his position. His biggest challenge: “Finding the correct course of action when residents are divided on an issue. That’s the hardest, when you know you may have to make 50 percent of the people unhappy. Bringing everyone to the table and getting a suitable solution is quite a challenge.”

He notes that the most rewarding aspect of his work is hearing from residents who are pleased with the commission’s actions plus the tangible products of his efforts, from new traffic lights to paved roads to expanded seating capacity at the local baseball field.

Moskowitz is committed to the electoral process and sees age as no barrier.

“Don’t be discouraged if you’re young and want to run for office,” Moskowitz advises fellow alums contemplating political campaigns. “Go ahead and get involved. Don’t be discouraged about partisanship or the unethical behavior we see from some of our public officials. There are many good people working for this country at national, state, and local levels who are accomplishing things for their communities.”