Alum named chairman of political party
Photo Credit: Kate Froehlich
Michael Dawson was recently named Chairman of the Constitutional Party of Maryland.
Kate Froehlich, Executive Editor
November 20, 2009
Filed under News
Michael Dawson, Class of ’87, has taken command of the recently reorganized Constitutional Party of Maryland as the party’s Chairman of the State Central Committee.
The move was announced by the party on October 20.
“I have always been politically motivated, but I began dealing with a calling to do something outside of the norm. It was an internal struggle to figure out where the calling would lead,” said Dawson.
The Constitutional Party’s major goals include securing life from conception to death, the liberty to make choices, a family structure with a man and a woman, right to private property without government intercession, state’s rights, importance of original intent interpretation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the sovereignty of America in protecting itself and not involving the country in strictly foreign affairs.
The party’s appeal, according to Dawson, can be found in “the ability, if the voters choose to, to return our government to one that is disciplined in approach and dedicated to doing only those duties prescribed to it in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.”
According to its press release, the party hopes to become the “new home of American conservatism.”
“The Constitutional Party is the party of principles, not of politics. We believe that the rights afforded to us by virtue of the Constitution are derived by God. Government is there to secure those rights,” said Dawson.
However, Dawson said, “the purpose of the party is not religious; it’s not to be a church.”
Originally active starting in 1998 in Maryland, a split on the national level in 2005 caused Maryland, along with five other states, to disaffiliate itself from the national Constitutional party.
The party was restarted in February of this year, and Dawson was officially elected in April.
For the past six months, Dawson has been involved in “building up the internal structure” of the party, with a major focus on the 2010 elections, when 141 delegates, 47 senators, and the entire executive branch will be up for reelection in Maryland.When asked if he had interest in running for office, Dawson immediately answered yes, and said, “I would like to see myself as a representative in legislature, whether for the state of Maryland or Congress.”
Dawson said his experience at JC had a “huge role in preparing me for the next step. It brought me out of my shell.” Dawson cites Spanish teacher Jane Michael and former history teacher Jim Chrismer as having “a huge influence on my political beliefs.”
Dawson worked to develop his interest in photography while at college at Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD, but a gradually degrading eye condition sidelined him. He was redirected to the editorials side of the newspaper, where he eventually became editor in chief.
“This is where my politics really took off because the newspaper took a political atmosphere, covering student government, the first Iraq war—lots of political motivators,” said Dawson.
Dawson strongly suggests that those interested in politics get involved. “Look at the political spectrum without any influences and see where you truly fit. Find the political party that most closely aligns with you, and then pursue it,” said Dawson.
Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at kfroehlich@jcpatriotcom.