Young Maryland Delegate Makes Rounds at DNC

Ryan Ewing (CNS photo)

Related Link: Special Report: Elections '08

By Ashley M. Lewis
Capital News Service
Monday, Aug. 25, 2008

DENVER - Ryan Ewing has worked for three presidential campaigns, served two years as town councilor of Brunswick, Maine, held several government internships and been selected as a delegate to one of the biggest national conventions in American history.

He's only 28.

"I've always enjoyed being involved in politics. Even when I was younger, I was always fascinated with learning how big decisions are made and how large amounts of money were being spent," Ewing said. "But I didn't get involved in government and how it works until I was in middle or high school."

Ewing may think he got a late start in politics, but he is one of the youngest Maryland delegates at this year's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

In spite of his age, Ewing has the attitude of a seasoned politician, moving seamlessly through the large crowd at Monday's delegation breakfast.

"I know I'm definitely one of the youngest people here. And I'm sure a lot of people aren't really familiar with me, but I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone here," Ewing said.

Born and raised in Easton, Ewing said he first became involved in politics while tagging along with his father to county council meetings.

"He was a contractor and he would go to county council meetings to bid for jobs. He used to bring me along with him when he would go to meetings, and I ended up getting really into it," Ewing said.

His interest in politics never waned.

Instead of running for student government positions in high school, Ewing worked as an intern for state delegates from the Eastern Shore, including Joanne Parrot.

After graduating, Ewing attended McDaniel College to study politics and theater. Realizing that his undergraduate degree in political science was more theory than practice, Ewing got a master's in political management from George Washington University.

Ewing said he opted to forgo a government job and instead went to work as a volunteer in Maryland during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns.

But it wasn't until he moved to Brunswick, Maine, in 2005 with his future wife, Amy, that Ewing ran for political office and won. He had lived there just nine months.

"I never expected that in my entire life. I always thought that I would only get into politics on the Eastern Shore," Ewing said.

After serving two years as a town councilor, Ewing moved back to Easton to work as a field organizer for the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. But he couldn't resist dabbling in the political scene again, and decided to run for a delegate position at this year's Democratic convention.

Whether it was because of the popularity of his family name (he said there are a lot of Ewings on the Eastern Shore) or because of his involvement in local political campaigns, Ewing garnered more votes during the primary election than any other delegate in the first Congressional district.

When asked if a political career is in his future, Ewing paused before answering slowly.

"I love politics. I always have. But it's hard, you know, after all I was councilor in Maine for two years. There's just a lot of things you have to think about and consider," he said. "But I guess we'll just have to see what happens."

Copyright © 2008 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism

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