ITT: What major politicians have you met?

[Grassroots]

Includes U.S Congresspeople, Senators, Governors, Cabinet officials, and other major political people.

Me (people I've actually talked to and shook hands with):

Fmr Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
In D.C while walking around the Capital building.
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)
At a congressional debate.
Fmr Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-IL)
At a fundraiser.

[John Dule]

I met Newt Gingrich at the Denver airport once. Told him I supported his plan to make the moon a state.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

T-Paw, if he still counts. I have seen Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Ron Paul in person, but haven't met them. Not that this is eligible, but I've also shaken hands and briefly chatted with the then-Deputy Mayor/former police chief of Detroit.

[Some of My Best Friends Are Gay]

I've seen Bernie Sanders in person at a rally, if that counts.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Supposedly when I was an infant me and my parents were in Wildwood on vacation and ran into Senator Bill Bradley. I was like two or three years old though, so I don't remember, but my parents recall this. he used to walk around the New Jersey shore coastline every Labor Day weekend, so it's definitely plausible. That is really the only example I can think of.

I've met several mayors of my town and state legislature members though, and other local elected officials. In fact, my Grandma used to be a relatively powerful councilwoman. But none of those are really major politicians.

[ON Progressive]

I've never met any major politicians. The closest thing would be my town's mayor, but that doesn't count.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Town Hall in Clemson, I was maybe 100 feet away from Lindsay Graham

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

1. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (shook hands, got a selfie with)
2. Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) (watched him speak at a political conference)
3. Former Governor Jodi Rell (R-CT) (met once in her office during a school field trip and saw her speak at my high school)
4. Former Governor James Martin (R-NC) (gave a lecture at my college)

[LoneStarDem]

Todd Staples
Lee Brown
Rick Perry
Wallace Jefferson
Morris Overstreet

[Thunder98 🇮🇱 🤝 🇵🇸]

I saw former Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado at the supermarket one time.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

I've met my local state senators/representatives.

[John Dule]

Also, I managed to work for Jared Huffman (D-CA) for three months without once meeting him face-to-face.

[Arturo Belano]

Only NE politicians, really. Dave Heineman, Pete Ricketts, Deb Fischer, Ben Sasse, and Adrian Smith.

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

I've met my local state senators/representatives.

This, plus my congressman, DA, and a couple judges.

[Wazza [INACTIVE]]

John Howard.

[Skunk]

Martin O'Malley.

[afleitch]

Too many to list but in terms of the two highest profiles:

First Minister Donald Dewar
First Minister Alex Salmond

[DaWN]

The newest Liberal Democrat MP

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

I got a picture with Tim Kaine in 2011 and hung out a little bit with him at a parade in 2012. He was super nice and genuine. Gerry Connolly was also at the parade but when he was not friendly.

I saw Terry McAuliffe in a bar once. He shook my hand and I told him to "have a good one."

Once I was at a Washington Capitals game and I saw Tom Davis desperately looking around trying to find a napkin to wipe some sauce off his fingers.

Met four or five state reps and state senators. Once I ate dinner in the house of a MN state rep and when I was a little kid I was friends with the son of member of leadership in the VA HoD.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

In order of significance:
Fmr. Gov. Jim Hunt (D-NC) (campaigning for his daughter at the early voting place where my mom and sibling voted)
Mayor of Worcester Joseph Petty or Fmr. Mayor Joseph O'Brien (both D-MA) (I was at town hall for some reason I forgot. Was around Christmastime but I forgot if it was 2011 or 2012)

[HillGoose]

None lmao.

The only politicians I've met are Ben West Jr. and Karl Dean.

[Ilhan Apologist]

Rep. Raul Grijalva, who I worked for one summer. Also saw Chrissy Houlahan and Susan Wild give speeches up close, but never "met" them.

[RINO Tom]

I'm trying to think, but all I am coming up with is Chris Christie.  I was about 30 feet from Bob Dole in Chicago one time, but I did not meet him.  My dad met George W. Bush when he was younger in Peoria one time, too.

[Joe Biden 2024]

Chrissy Houlahan, when she spoke at the College Democrats at my school.

[DPKdebator]

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.