Written by Kara Hicks, The Boulevard Company, CYP Steering Committee Member

On October 22, Congressman Joe Cunningham sat down with CYP for a virtual event. At the tail end of his freshman term in the US House of Representatives, Congressman Cunningham shared his experiences with us, particularly in regards to what it’s like seeking a leadership position and running for office. This was an excellent opportunity for the CYP members who attended, since all of the participants had the opportunity to ask the congressman questions about his experience and his goals.

Congressman Cunningham started off by telling us a little about his background and his path to the US House of Representatives. He began his career as an ocean engineer, but decided to change his career path during the great recession. After establishing himself as an attorney, Congressman Cunningham realized that something was missing. Although he was successful, he felt a strong desire to contribute more to his community. That’s when he decided to run for office.

I found this particularly interesting, as well as relevant to young professionals. It’s not uncommon for young professionals to have to make career decisions based on circumstances outside of their control. Recognizing opportunities in other companies or fields is important for career growth, and it’s reassuring to hear stories of successful people who have made transitions in their careers. Cunningham also stressed the importance of working in a profession that provides personal fulfillment. While salary matters, the personal fulfillment that a career provides is equally, if not more, important. 

Running as a Democrat in a historically Republican district (against well-known Mark Sanford) would be a challenge, but Cunningham sought out the support and advice of other elected officials. He spoke at length about the campaign process and the dedication that it takes to run for office, mentioning that there is no “right” time to do so. Family, career and personal life are never going to align perfectly. It takes sacrifice and commitment, as well as a strong and genuine desire to work for your community.

When asked how he chose what position to run for, he replied that it really came down to the issues that mattered to him personally. As local, state and federal governments have unique responsibilities, elected positions at those levels will tackle a wide variety of policies. For Congressman Cunningham, helping the Lowcountry from the federal level seemed the most fulfilling. After beginning his first term, Cunningham was assigned to two committees that have given him ample opportunity to work for his constituents in the Lowcountry: the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the House Committee on Natural Resources. According to him, the nonpartisan nature of these committees is a far cry from the partisan politics that we often see in news headlines. 

Overall, Congressman Cunningham looks back on his two years in Congress as a learning experience. As part of a large incoming freshman group of lawmakers, he considers himself to have been in impressive company and is thankful for the opportunity to serve with others whom he admires. Instead of seeing his age as a vulnerability (Joe is 38 years old), he considers it his duty to represent a younger generation of Americans. Many decisions are made by elected officials of an older generation, but young people are the ones who will have to live with those decisions for decades to come. According to Cunningham, it’s important for our generation to have a voice through him and others like him. He encourages others to evaluate how they can contribute to their communities and to pursue leadership positions themselves.