By Kaitlan Sakuma, 2026 CLA Intern
The mock campaign for LA County Executive taught me more about organizing in one night than any textbook could. Supporting Gabriel Molina-Kong’s candidacy meant more than drafting policy platforms or perfecting our slogans – it felt like stepping into the actual rhythm of an authentic campaign. From the real conversations to the collective exhaustion, campaigning for twelve hours straight was quite humbling yet extremely rewarding.
Campaigning and being in politics requires thick skin. Not every door opens with warmth, and not every conversation lands the way you hope. But what the mock campaign night really taught me is that a food support system is just as important as thick skin – especially during something as demanding as canvassing. It was in the middle of that same exhausting night that I found some of the most meaningful connections, and they reminded me of why having people in your corner matters so much in this work.
For one, my cohort was an incredible group to lean on throughout the entire day. Even though we weren’t all on the same mock election team, we shared a common goal, and by the end of the night it was clear that we were all still part of one CAUSE family – something I am endlessly grateful for. Making sure everyone stayed hydrated and checking in on each other throughout the night made me feel grounded, and reminded me of our common goal: educate voters and explore our own personal values along the way.
There were two groups I met at the conference that left a lasting impression on me. The first was a group of union organizers representing healthcare workers, who invited me to eat with them during the conference. What struck me wasn’t just their passion and expertise in labor organizing – it was how much they genuinely cared. They checked in on me throughout the night, made sure I was pacing myself, and reminded me to take breaks. In a space that can feel relentless and high-stakes, their care reminded me that organizing requires people to look out for one another.
The second group was a set of educators, and given my own interest in education policy, I found myself gravitating towards them instantly. We ended up talking more about my past research and academic interests than we did about campaign strategy. They were genuinely curious about my work and I truly got to be myself, as someone excited to talk about the education system with people who understood why it mattered.
What made the night so powerful wasn’t just the act of campaigning itself but the fact thatI was doing it alongside AANHPI leaders from across the country – people who had built careers in organizing, labor, and education. Sitting with the CAUSE family next to ChaRedefined in the Chapman Plaza at 1am, I understood something I couldn’t have grasped from a lecture: campaigning demands persistence and humility, but behind every campaign are people who choose, again and again, to show up for one another. Having that kind of support system behind you is key, and experiencing it firsthand made me excited to keep showing up as that support system for the CAUSE family, too.
